A judge appointed by Barack Obama is now threatening the Trump administration with vague “consequences” after Venezuelan nationals — including alleged gang members — were deported despite his order. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg is demanding answers from the administration over flights that transported hundreds of illegal aliens to El Salvador.
Boasberg, known for issuing sweeping rulings against Republican administrations, temporarily blocked the deportations last weekend. But flights had already taken off by the time his written order was made public. Now, he is pressing the Department of Justice for details on the flights, including departure and landing times.
The Trump administration responded that revealing those flight specifics could compromise national security and diplomatic talks with other countries. They also questioned whether the court has the authority to interfere in executive decisions involving deportations under national security law.
The deported individuals reportedly include affiliates of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua — a violent organization with ties to foreign regimes. The Trump administration cited the Alien Enemies Act to justify the removals, arguing that the president has the legal authority to protect the U.S. from threats tied to hostile governments.
President Donald Trump responded on social media, calling Boasberg a “troublemaker and agitator” and said Congress should consider impeachment. Chief Justice John Roberts weighed in by suggesting legal disagreements should be handled through appeals, not political processes.
Despite Boasberg’s threats, the administration maintains that its actions were lawful. A third deportation flight reportedly left Texas after the judge’s ruling, but the DOJ noted that not everyone on board was removed under the specific law being challenged.
While Boasberg extended his deadline for more information, he has not stated what the “consequences” would be if the Trump administration continues to enforce immigration law as it sees fit.
The judge’s initial ruling came even as migrants had already landed in El Salvador, where they are being held at a high-security facility under agreements with local authorities.
