The Excerpt: Trump’s Constitutional Quandary, Civil Rights Concerns, and the Plastic Peril

Good morning, and welcome to "The Excerpt" for Monday, May 5th, 2025. I’m Taylor Wilson, and today we’re delving into a range of critical issues, from President Trump’s controversial statements about the Constitution to the concerns of civil rights activists and the growing evidence of the dangers of plastic.

Trump’s Stance on the Constitution Raises Eyebrows

President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm of controversy with his recent remarks regarding his obligation to uphold the Constitution. In an interview that aired this past weekend on NBC’s "Meet the Press," Trump expressed uncertainty about whether he is bound by the Constitution while pursuing his administration’s aggressive deportation agenda.

When pressed by host Kristen Welker on whether he needs to uphold the Constitution, Trump responded with a startling, "I don’t know. I have to respond by saying again I have brilliant lawyers that work for me and they’re going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said."

These comments have sparked widespread criticism, particularly in light of a recent Supreme Court decision. Last month, the Court ruled that the Trump administration must facilitate the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongly deported to a prison in El Salvador without due process. The Trump administration has argued that it is not obligated to request Abrego Garcia’s release, citing the specific wording of the court’s decision.

Democrats and other critics have decried these statements as evidence that the administration is flouting the authority of the nation’s highest court. Trump officials have defended their position by accusing Abrego Garcia of being a member of the MS13 gang, asserting that he would be deported back to El Salvador if he were to return to the United States. Abrego Garcia has vehemently denied any affiliation with MS13 or any other gang.

In addition to the constitutional controversy, President Trump also addressed the shrinking economy and dismissed the possibility of seeking a third term in the White House.

Civil Rights Activists Sound the Alarm

The first 100 days of President Trump’s second term have been marked by significant setbacks for civil rights protections, according to activists. USA TODAY National Correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry joined "The Excerpt" to discuss the concerns of civil rights advocates.

Berry highlighted several key areas of concern, including the elimination of diversity initiatives across federal agencies, the rollback of provisions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and the dismissal of staffers working on civil rights issues, along with the closure of civil rights offices in some agencies.

These actions have fueled fears that decades of progress in civil rights are at risk. Fatima Goss Graves, president of the National Women’s Law Center, told Berry, "The pace of unraveling civil rights protections has been unlike anything I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. It’s a reminder that we have to fight again and again for those critical protections."

Activists point to Project 2025, a conservative plan to overhaul the federal government, as a potential blueprint for Trump’s agenda on civil rights. While Trump distanced himself from the project during his campaign, activists argue that his actions in office align with its goals, particularly in rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Conservatives argue that civil rights laws, initially intended to protect people of color, should also protect white people from discrimination. Hans von Spakowski, a senior legal fellow at the Conservative Heritage Foundation, told Berry, "They’re not unraveling decades of civil rights work. What they’re doing is putting a priority on enforcement matters that have been totally neglected by the prior administration."

Civil rights veterans are working to train the next generation of organizers and educate the public about the history of the civil rights movement. However, the future of civil rights protections under the current administration remains uncertain, with Trump recently urging the Department of Justice to de-prioritize the enforcement of part of the Civil Rights Act related to workplace discrimination.

National Parks Face Budget Cuts

A new budget proposal from President Trump would drastically reduce funding for the nation’s national parks, monuments, historic sites, seashores, and trails by nearly 25%. The proposal calls for cutting more than $1.2 billion from the $4.8 billion park service budget, sparking outrage from organizations devoted to national parks and recreation lands.

Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association, described the proposal as "the most extreme, unrealistic and destructive National Park Service budget a president has ever proposed in the agency’s 109-year history."

The proposal argues that the Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund is duplicative and often funds projects of local rather than national significance.

The Dangers of Plastic: New Research Emerges

The world is grappling with a plastic problem, and new research is shedding light on the potential dangers of plastic exposure. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weiss joined "The Excerpt" to discuss these findings.

A recent study examining exposure to plastics containing phthalates, chemicals used to make them more flexible, attributed as many as 350,000 more deaths from heart disease to exposure to these phthalates. The chemicals, present in low levels, can mimic hormones and disrupt bodily functions.

While scientists emphasize that definitive causality has not been established, a growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to plastics, whether through chemicals or microplastic particles, may negatively impact human health.

The plastic industry maintains that more data is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn. However, the increasing evidence of potential harm raises the question of whether measures should be taken to limit plastic production and exposure now, even before all the data is available.

Weiss offered practical tips for reducing plastic exposure, such as avoiding heating food in plastic containers in the microwave, hand-washing plastic Tupperware instead of using the dishwasher, and avoiding single-use plastics whenever possible. She also emphasized that while reducing plastic exposure is beneficial, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise and a balanced diet is also crucial.

Globally, the United Nations is negotiating a global plastic treaty to limit plastic production and ensure that plastics are designed for recycling. Currently, only a small percentage of plastic is recycled worldwide, highlighting the need for systemic change.

Kind Time: A Heroic Dog Saves the Day

In our fourth installment of Kind Time, we celebrate a heartwarming story of a dog who became a true hero. Buford, an Anatolian Shepherd, saved a missing toddler after a harrowing 16-hour search in Arizona.

The two-year-old boy went missing, sending his parents into a panic. Buford, a loyal ranch dog, found the child and guided him back home after he had wandered seven miles through difficult terrain. Buford stayed by the boy’s side, ensuring he wasn’t alone until he was safely returned.