US judge presses Trump admin for deportation info under oath, rejects efforts to call off hearing

A federal judge on Monday rejected the Trump administration’s request to cancel a court hearing regarding President Donald Trump’s use of a wartime law to deport hundreds of Venezuelan nationals. The hearing focused on whether the White House knowingly violated a court order blocking the deportation of Venezuelan nationals and alleged members of the violent gang Tren de Aragua.

The Justice Department’s filing came shortly after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered lawyers to court for a “fact-finding hearing” concerning Trump’s use of the 1798 wartime-era Alien Enemies Act. This law, which has only been used three times in U.S. history, was invoked by the Trump administration to deport Venezuelan nationals and alleged gang members.

During the 45-minute hearing, Judge Boasberg expressed frustration with the government’s lack of transparency regarding the deportation flights that had already taken off. The judge ordered the Justice Department to provide more information in writing by the following day.

In a rare move, Judge Boasberg granted an emergency order preventing further deportations and requiring the administration to return any planes carrying expelled migrants, including the deported Venezuelan nationals and gang members. However, a plane carrying over 200 migrants had already left U.S. airspace by the time the order was issued.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s actions, stating that the order was not lawful and expressing the intent to appeal. The ACLU requested the government to submit sworn declarations confirming the departure of the deportation flights after the court’s order.

Judge Boasberg, an Obama appointee, questioned the administration’s decision to proceed with the deportations despite the court order. He emphasized the importance of complying with judicial decisions and suggested that returning the planes to the U.S. would have been a better course of action.

The ongoing legal battle highlights the clash between the Trump administration’s immigration policies and judicial oversight. The court is set to reconvene on Friday to address the administration’s request to dismiss the case.

Breanne Deppisch, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, covers the Trump administration, focusing on the Justice Department and FBI. Her reporting sheds light on the complex legal issues surrounding immigration and national security.