Karoline Leavitt slams Judge James Boasberg’s order on deportation flights
The recent attempt by a federal judge to halt the Trump administration’s deportation flights has sparked controversy and criticism from the White House. The judge’s order came too late, according to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, who had already accepted the deportations over the weekend.
President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on Friday, a rarely used law that allows for the deportation of natives and citizens of an enemy nation without a hearing. This act has only been successfully invoked three times in U.S. history, during the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered an immediate stop to the deportations to determine the legality of Trump’s invocation of the 1798 act. However, a Trump administration official revealed that the planes carrying the migrants had already left U.S. airspace when the judge issued the order.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the judge’s order, stating that the administration did not refuse to comply with the court order. She argued that the order had no lawful basis and was issued after the individuals had already been removed from U.S. territory.
Furthermore, Leavitt emphasized that federal courts generally do not have jurisdiction over the President’s conduct of foreign affairs and his powers under the Alien Enemies Act. She highlighted that a single judge cannot direct the movements of individuals who have already been expelled from U.S. soil.
In response to the order, President Bukele of El Salvador posted a lighthearted response on social media, joking that it was too late. He shared footage of the alleged gang members being escorted off the planes by Salvadorean authorities and placed in prison cells.
A total of 261 illegal aliens were deported from the U.S. to El Salvador, including individuals removed under the Alien Enemies Act, Venezuelans removed via Title 8, and Salvadoran MS-13 gang members. The deportees were accused of various crimes, including kidnapping, sexual abuse of a child, aggravated assault, prostitution, robbery, and assault of a police officer.
The collaboration between President Trump and President Bukele on the deportation flights has raised concerns and sparked debates over the legal implications of invoking such laws. The controversy surrounding the judge’s order and the administration’s response highlights the complex and contentious nature of immigration policies and enforcement actions.
