Trump DOJ Fights Back Against Judge Boasberg’s Overreach on Deportation Flights
Washington, D.C. – The Trump Administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) faced off against U.S. District Judge James Boasberg on Monday after the Obama-appointed judge blocked President Trump’s efforts to deport Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
The courtroom battle followed Boasberg’s unprecedented order over the weekend, demanding that the Trump Administration stop deporting criminal Venezuelan nationals, including members of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang, and even ordering planes already in the air to turn around and return to the U.S..
Judge Boasberg Claims Extraterritorial “Equitable Powers”
During Monday’s explosive hearing, Boasberg clashed with DOJ lawyers, claiming he had the authority to stop deportation flights even after they had left U.S. airspace.
- Boasberg demanded a full accounting of the deportation flights, including:
- How many planes left the U.S. on Saturday carrying deported individuals.
- The number of deported individuals on each flight.
- The specific foreign countries where they landed.
- The exact time each plane departed, exited U.S. airspace, and arrived at its destination.
DOJ lawyers pushed back hard, arguing that Boasberg had no legal jurisdiction over international airspace.
DOJ Fires Back: “You Lost Jurisdiction Once They Left U.S. Airspace”
DOJ attorneys argued that the planes carrying Venezuelan criminals were already outside U.S. territory before Boasberg’s emergency order was even issued. Once deportation is complete, the U.S. courts have no further jurisdiction, the DOJ explained.
- DOJ to Boasberg: “You lost jurisdiction once they left U.S. airspace because once physically removed, the court has lost jurisdiction—the act is completed.”
- Boasberg’s response: “My equitable powers can order you to return the plane.”
- DOJ fires back: “The President has authority over military forces and deportation actions.”
Judge Boasberg Orders DOJ to Confirm No More Deportations
In an extraordinary display of judicial overreach, Boasberg ordered the DOJ to confirm that no further removals would occur, demanding a sworn declaration that no other flights fell under Trump’s Proclamation.
Despite the DOJ’s repeated insistence that the deportation orders were lawfully executed, Boasberg continued pressing for a halt to further removals.
El Salvador’s President Mocks Boasberg’s Attempt to Reverse Deportations
Adding further embarrassment to Boasberg’s ruling, El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele mocked the U.S. judge, noting that two flights carrying 300 Venezuelan aliens, including Tren de Aragua gang members, had already landed in El Salvador.
Trump DOJ Takes the Fight to Appeals Court
Following the tense courtroom showdown, Trump’s DOJ formally asked the appeals court to intervene and overturn Boasberg’s overreach.
This legal battle marks a crucial test of presidential authority over immigration enforcement. The Trump Administration is arguing that activist judges should not have the power to shield violent criminals from deportation or override the executive branch’s authority on national security.
🚨 Stay tuned as the case moves to the appeals court for a final decision. 🚨
