Veteran British comedian John Cleese recently made a dark joke in response to a proposal by White House aide Stephen Miller, who suggested suspending constitutional rights for migrants in U.S. custody.
On X (formerly Twitter), Cleese wrote, “I see Stephen Miller says he is actively thinking about suspending ‘habeas corpus.’ As this has been the keystone of the Rule of Law for centuries, I’d like to suggest that we actively think about suspending Stephen Miller.” He then added, “Preferably by the neck.”
The post was later removed from X.
Habeas corpus, which allows imprisoned individuals to challenge the reasons for or conditions of their detention, is a fundamental right under the U.S. Constitution. It has been confirmed in multiple legal rulings to extend to non-citizens on U.S. soil as well.
Miller, a key advisor to former President Donald Trump and a central figure in his immigration policies, had proposed suspending habeas corpus for migrants. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Miller suggested that the Trump administration was exploring legal options for such an action.
“The Constitution is clear—and that, of course, is the supreme law of the land—that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion,” Miller explained. “So, I would say that’s an option we’re actively looking at.” He argued that the current situation at the U.S. border qualifies as a “border crisis” or “invasion,” which would justify suspending the right.
However, legal experts, including Georgetown University Law Center professor Steve Vladeck, have pointed out that the president cannot unilaterally suspend constitutionally protected rights without congressional approval.
Miller’s comments come after former President Trump remarked during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press that he “doesn’t know” if it’s his responsibility to uphold the Constitution because he is “not a lawyer.”
