Justice Department Challenges Court’s Order on Deportation Flights
The Justice Department is resisting a federal judge’s demands for further information on deportation flights to El Salvador, citing executive authority concerns. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized judicial interventions as partisan activism. Tensions escalate as Judge Boasberg questions compliance with prior court orders related to these flights and evaluates potential infractions.
The Justice Department faces a challenge from a federal judge regarding deportation flights to El Salvador, resisting a demand for further information. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has criticized judges for acting as “partisan activists” and impeding the administration’s agenda, particularly relating to deportation policies.
U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg had ordered the Trump administration to respond to inquiries concerning the deportations conducted under an 18th century wartime declaration. This action arose amid growing tensions between the judiciary and the Trump administration, particularly following a series of unfavorable court rulings concerning executive actions.
Boasberg demanded sealed responses from the administration, asking for details such as flight timings and the number of deportees involved under Trump’s proclamation. He questioned if the government complied with his directive to halt deportees destined for a notorious prison in El Salvador, indicative of the ongoing conflict between court orders and executive action.
In court documents, the Justice Department asserted that the judge’s inquiries encroach upon executive authority related to national security and foreign policy. The administration is contemplating invoking the “state secrets privilege” to withhold information, contending that judicial oversight of national security matters oversteps the bounds of judicial authority.
In response, Boasberg issued a firm deadline for the administration to either comply or claim a necessity to withhold information for national security reasons. He emphasized that providing the requested information is crucial to verifying compliance with his orders regarding deportation flights.
The Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, traditionally reserved for wartime use, has become contentious, with claims of an invasion from the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua reinforcing the administration’s position. Boasberg’s judicial order aimed to impede deportations initiated under this declaration, raising essential questions about the interplay between judicial oversight and executive power.
While the administration supplied some information during a prior hearing, it did not fully address the number of individuals subject to deportation under the controversial law. During a briefing, Leavitt noted that approximately 261 individuals had been deported, including some under this specific proclamation.
In conclusion, the legal confrontation between the Justice Department and U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg highlights significant issues regarding the balance of power between the judicial and executive branches. The ongoing dispute centers on the authority of judges to oversee executive actions concerning national security and deportation policies. The administration’s reaction, including the potential invocation of state secrets, underscores the complexities of such legal challenges and the broader implications for immigration enforcement.
Original Source: apnews.com
