A U.S. federal judge has escalated tensions with the Trump administration over deportation flights targeting alleged members of a Venezuelan gang, questioning whether the White House overstepped its authority under an 18th-century law. The legal clash has ignited debates about executive power, constitutional checks, and immigration enforcement.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered the Department of Justice on Tuesday to provide detailed timelines and passenger records for two deportation flights conducted over the weekend. The flights occurred after Boasberg issued a temporary injunction blocking deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a law historically used during World War II to detain foreign nationals from enemy states.
Justice Department lawyers argued that the flights had already departed U.S. airspace before the judge's formal written order was issued. However, Boasberg demanded clarity on whether deportees were removed solely under the contested 1798 law and warned of potential constitutional concerns. The administration now faces a Wednesday deadline to submit flight data, which could be sealed for operational security.
The case centers on President Trump's designation of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang as a national security threat engaging in "irregular warfare" against the U.S. – a claim Boasberg called legally unsupported. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatened additional sanctions against Venezuela if it refuses deportation flights, further complicating cross-border relations.
Trump intensified the political drama by calling for Boasberg's impeachment via social media, prompting a rare public rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Roberts emphasized that impeachment is not a tool to challenge judicial decisions, noting that proper appeals processes exist.
The standoff highlights mounting tensions between the judiciary and executive branch, with Republicans in Congress introducing impeachment articles against Boasberg hours after Trump's post. Legal experts warn such moves could erode judicial independence, as threats against federal judges have risen sharply in recent months.
Venezuelan officials condemned the deportations as a "crime against humanity," denying deportees due process. Analysts suggest the case may set precedents for presidential authority to bypass immigration courts during declared security crises.
