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A federal judge is threatening to hold Trump administration officials in contempt for allegedly ignoring court orders to halt deportation flights. The showdown centers on President Trump’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to remove over 200 Venezuelan nationals accused of gang ties to El Salvador. Judge James Boasberg accused the administration of rushing deportations while legal challenges were pending and acting in “bad faith” by not rerouting planes midflight as directed.
– The administration deported migrants on three flights just hours after Boasberg scheduled a hearing to review the policy.
– Justice Department lawyers argued they weren’t legally required to comply with Boasberg’s verbal order to return the planes.
– Officials invoked “state secrets” privileges to avoid disclosing flight details, but later admitted the information wasn’t classified. Boasberg called this “pretty sketchy”.
the judge is overstepping by interfering with presidential authority to enforce immigration laws and protect national security. They claim the Alien Enemies Act gives Trump broad power to remove foreign threats without lengthy court battles. Supporters of the administration say the rush to deport was justified to prevent dangerous gang members from entering U.S. communities.
The standoff highlights growing tensions between Trump and the courts. The president has publicly criticized Boasberg as an “activist judge” and called for his impeachment, while the administration continues defending its hardline approach to border security. A hearing on April 8 will determine whether contempt charges move forward.
