Trump Accuses Judge of Undermining Authority

In a fiery dispute over the ongoing migrant deportation flights, former President Donald Trump has accused Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., of trying to undermine presidential authority. This accusation comes after Boasberg rejected a recent government filing regarding the deportation of Venezuelan migrants, deeming it 'woefully insufficient' and arguing that the administration had failed to adequately address his inquiries about the flight of alleged gang members to an El Salvador mega-prison.

Calls for Impeachment and Judicial Reprimand

Earlier this week, Trump had called for Boasberg's impeachment, labeling him a 'troublemaker' without mentioning him directly in a social media post. This prompted a rare public reprimand from Chief Justice John Roberts, who asserted that impeachment should not be the consequence of judicial disagreements.

Concerns Over Flight Details and Government Delays

Boasberg's concerns arose when he questioned why the government delayed in providing essential flight details regarding the deportation of numerous Venezuelans, and on Saturday, he directly asked federal authorities to halt the deportation flights. However, the White House contended it was too late to cancel the flights since they were already airborne.

Government's Response Fails to Satisfy Judge

On Thursday, attorneys representing the government submitted a brief declaration from an immigration officer, but Judge Boasberg was not appeased, as they again failed to deliver the detailed flight information he had requested. Spurring urgency, the judge issued a fresh deadline for the government to comply, expressing dissatisfaction with the continual lack of transparency.

Trump's Retaliatory Remarks

In a retaliatory Truth Social post, Trump claimed, 'Judge James Boasberg is doing everything in his power to usurp the Power of the Presidency. He is a local, unknown Judge, a Grandstander, looking for publicity.' He decried what he called 'nationwide injunctions' against his administration and urged Supreme Court leaders, including Chief Justice Roberts, to rectify what he characterized as a dire judicial situation.

Legal Implications of State Secrets Privilege

During the hearings concerning the deportation case, federal lawyers mentioned the potential invocation of a state secrets privilege, allowing them to withhold sensitive national security information. However, Judge Boasberg responded critically, emphasizing that a regional ICE official could not adequately represent cabinet-level secrets discussed during the case.

Extended Deadline and Upcoming Hearings

The judge has now extended the deadline for the Trump administration to provide a sworn declaration from a higher-level official, with a new mandate set for Friday morning. Additionally, a hearing related to Trump's reference of the Alien Enemies Act will take place on the same day. This act has been cited by Trump to justify the deportation of over 200 Venezuelans, nearly all of whom he claims are members of the notorious gang Tren de Aragua.

Case of the Wrongfully Deported Professional