A U.S. federal judge has demanded detailed explanations from the Trump administration after two deportation flights departed over the weekend, despite his order temporarily halting removals under an old law from the 18th century.
On Saturday, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued a two-week suspension on deportations under President Donald Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The administration had invoked the act, claiming that a Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, was conducting irregular warfare against the United States.
Despite the judge’s order, two flights still took off and landed in El Salvador. Judge Boasberg has questioned the Justice Department on why these flights proceeded and has requested specific details about their timing and the people on board.
The Justice Department responded on Tuesday, stating that the flights had already left U.S. airspace before the judge’s written order was issued at 7:25 p.m. EDT. They argued that his earlier verbal instructions were not enforceable. This response has led to further inquiries from Judge Boasberg, who has asked for precise timelines and passenger details by noon on Wednesday.
The incident has raised concerns about the limits of executive power and the potential for constitutional clashes between branches of government. President Trump reacted by calling for Judge Boasberg’s impeachment, a move that sparked a rare public statement from U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts.
“For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” Chief Justice Roberts said. “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.”
Meanwhile, Venezuelan lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez condemned the U.S. deportations, describing them as barbaric and a denial of due process. In response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatened additional sanctions on Venezuela if it does not accept its citizens deported from the U.S.
“Unless the Venezuelan government accepts a consistent flow of deportation flights, without further excuses or delays, the United States will impose new, severe, and escalating sanctions,” Rubio posted on social media.
The situation highlights escalating tensions over immigration policies and the use of historical laws to address modern challenges. As both sides await further legal developments, the incident underscores the ongoing debate over the balance of power in the U.S. government.
