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Trump Administration Faces Legal Showdown Over Defiance of Deportation Halt

Judge Boasberg investigates potential violations of his court order as the White House considers invoking state secrets privilege in an escalating constitutional dispute.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, stands for a portrait at E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington, March 16, 2023.
Salvadoran police officers escort alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua recently deported by the U.S. government to be imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison, as part of an agreement with the Salvadoran government, in Tecoluca, El Salvador, in this handout image obtained March 16, 2025.
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Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts presides during opening arguments in the U.S. Senate impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump in this frame grab from video shot in the U.S. Senate Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 21, 2020.

Overview

  • The Trump administration invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members without judicial removal orders, prompting a 14-day block from U.S. District Judge James Boasberg.
  • Despite the court order, deportation flights to El Salvador proceeded, raising allegations that the administration defied judicial directives.
  • President Trump called for Judge Boasberg's impeachment, drawing rare public criticism from Chief Justice John Roberts, who emphasized judicial independence.
  • Judge Boasberg criticized the administration's lack of transparency, including its refusal to provide detailed information on the flights, citing national security concerns.
  • The administration has appealed the deportation block and is considering invoking state secrets privilege to withhold further details, with an appeals hearing scheduled for next week.