The White House has voiced strong criticism against a federal judge’s decision to temporarily stop the Trump administration’s deportation flights. This reaction comes after the leader of El Salvador accepted the deportation of certain individuals over the weekend, implying that any legal action was arriving too late.
President Donald Trump recently invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which enables the deportation of individuals from enemy nations without a legal hearing. This law has rarely been used, with previous applications occurring during significant historical conflicts, such as the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued an order to pause these deportations in order to assess the legality of Trump’s actions. However, Trump officials stated that the planes had already left U.S. airspace by the time the judge’s ruling was made public.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified in a statement that the Trump administration did not “refuse to comply” with the court order. She further argued that the judge’s ruling lacked a legal foundation, given that the deportations had already taken place. Leavitt emphasized that it is well established that federal courts typically do not have the authority to intervene in the President’s conduct of foreign affairs or his powers to remove individuals deemed a threat to the nation.
In response to the judge’s order, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele made light of the situation, stating, “Oopsie… too late,” as he shared video footage of heavily armed local authorities escorting alleged gang members off the planes and into custody.
The deportation effort was significant, with reports indicating that 261 individuals were removed from the U.S. to El Salvador just yesterday. This group included 137 deportees processed under the Alien Enemies Act, 101 Venezuelans under a different legal framework, and several members of the notorious MS-13 gang. A senior official from the Trump administration shared that those deported had histories of serious crimes, including robbery and sexual offenses.
Support for the deportations was echoed by Vice President JD Vance, who reinforced the narrative that these actions were necessary for the safety of the American people. He underscored the notion that Democrats had opposed efforts to remove dangerous criminals from the U.S. when President Trump was working to ensure their return to their home countries.
In a political environment increasingly polarized over immigration and law enforcement, the developments surrounding these deportation flights highlight ongoing tensions. As actions unfold in the legal system and across borders, the Trump administration continues to stand firm in its stance on immigration and national security.
