Lincoln Project Slams Trump Over Policy — Then Gets Reminded Lincoln Did It First

The Lincoln Project, a group of self-proclaimed “principled conservatives” who’ve spent years attacking President Donald Trump, is once again under fire for its historical ignorance—this time for criticizing a policy their namesake actually implemented himself.

Following comments made by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, outrage quickly erupted from the group over a potential Trump administration move to suspend the writ of habeas corpus amid the ongoing illegal immigration crisis.

“That’s an option we’re actively looking at,” Miller said on Friday. He pointed out that the Constitution clearly provides for such action in the case of an invasion. “A lot of it depends on whether the courts do the right thing or not,” he added, further arguing that Congress has already moved to limit Article III courts from interfering in immigration enforcement.

But within moments of Miller’s comments going public, the Lincoln Project took to social media to express horror at the idea.

“Suspending habeas corpus. Let that sink in.”

The irony, however, was not lost on critics.

President Abraham Lincoln—the very figure this group claims to revere—famously suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War. At the time, Washington, D.C. was surrounded by pro-slavery territory, and Lincoln’s decision allowed military authorities to detain individuals without trial if they were deemed threats to the Union’s military efforts.

Commenters on X were quick to highlight the glaring contradiction.

“What do you mean we can legally do this via a law passed in congress and signed by… Abraham Lincoln?!”
user @Aristophanes asked, pointing out the historical precedent.

Conservative commentator Auron MacIntyre put it more bluntly:

“This may be the greatest self own in history.”

Others chimed in with biting sarcasm. Tennessee pastor and podcast host Andrew Isker added:

“Next up arresting judges and congressmen, shutting down state legislatures, shutting down newspapers, and sending the military against Americans! Where does it end!?”

The Lincoln Project’s latest blunder only adds to their long track record of attacking President Trump while simultaneously invoking the legacy of a president who made far more aggressive wartime decisions. Their hypocrisy has become so routine that it barely surprises many on the right.

Despite branding themselves as defenders of Republican values, the Lincoln Project has veered sharply left in recent years—endorsing now-former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 and launching repeated attacks on conservative voters. Their founder, Rick Wilson, has drawn particular scrutiny for inflammatory rhetoric, including a disturbing 2015 comment during an MSNBC interview that critics say bordered on incitement.

“The donor class can’t just sit back on the sidelines and say, ‘Oh, well, don’t worry, this will work itself out.’ They’re still going to have to go out and put a bullet in Donald Trump,” Wilson said—years before the attempted assassination of the President in 2024.

While the left continues to cry foul over the Trump administration exploring constitutional tools during a national crisis, many Americans are instead asking a different question: if Abraham Lincoln did it to preserve the Union, why shouldn’t President Trump consider the same to protect the sovereignty of the nation?