Impeachable Judge Sets New Deadline for DOJ on Deportation Aircraft Details, as Per Trump's Suggestion
Rowdy Reboot
Judge James Boasberg is giving the Department of Justice until Wednesday at noon, under seal, to deliver more info about the deportations that occurred under President Donald Trump's use of a sweeping wartime authority. This comes as he continues to probe the administration's adherence to his orders, issued last weekend, which called for a halt on deporting individuals while he considered a legal challenge to Trump's utilization of the Alien Enemies Act.
The sought-after details encompass the exact times two planes departed US soil on Saturday, as well as when specific individuals were transferred out of US custody on that same day. These inquiries were prompted by Boasberg, following a hearing during which a DOJ attorney stonewalled the judge's demands for details on the flights.
Yesterday, Trump called for the impeachment of Boasberg, an Obama appointee and the current chief judge of the federal trial-level court in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, the Justice Department provided some answers, albeit under seal, answering whether one flight that took off shortly after Boasberg temporarily ordered planes carrying migrants to turn around included any individuals who were being removed "solely on the basis" of the Alien Enemies Act. Robert Cerna, a senior ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations official, stated in a sworn declaration that all individuals on that flight had Title 8 final removal orders and thus were not removed solely on the basis of the Alien Enemies Act.
Challenged by Boasberg for more details, the Department of Justice expressed hesitation, citing the need to protect sensitive information bearing on foreign relations. Notably, this is a rare occurrence as court filings are typically signed by attorneys and it is uncommon to see top DOJ leaders signing onto a run-of-the-mill court filing.
In response to the DOJ's reluctance, Boasberg issued an order for additional information to be handed over by Wednesday afternoon. He initially posed these questions during Monday's hearing, giving DOJ attorneys the option to answer under seal.
During Monday's hearing, the administration was accused of violating Boasberg's orders issued on Saturday. These accusations surfaced after the judge's original oral order, issued during a court hearing, seemed to lack clarity about the requirement to turn around planes carrying out deportations pursuant to Trump's edict.
In a separate filing, DOJ attorneys, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, argued that the judge's oral order was "not enforceable." Critics argue that this misstep could potentially jeopardize due process protections. The details of the deportees, including their identities and specific reasons for deportation, have not been disclosed by the Trump administration.
Contributions by CNN's Paula Reid.
Enrichment Insights:
- Deportations pursued under the Alien Enemies Act were challenged in court, leading to a temporary restraining order by Judge James Boasberg.
- The Trump administration argues that the Alien Enemies Act grants the president broad authority to deport individuals deemed threats, while critics claim that this utilization of the act sidesteps due process protections.
- ICE officials have argued that many of those deported did not have criminal records in the U.S., but might still pose a threat.
- The Trump administration has not publicly disclosed detailed information about the deportees, including their identities or specific reasons for deportation.
- Judge James Boasberg has asked the Department of Justice to provide information about specific deportations that occurred in 2025, under the Alien Enemies Act, and has set a deadline for Wednesday at noon.
- During Monday's hearing, Judge Boasberg expressed concern about the Department of Justice's reluctance to release sensitive information and issued an order for additional information to be handed over by Wednesday afternoon.
- Boasberg's order comes as he continues to probe the administration's adherence to his orders, issued last weekend, which called for a halt on deporting individuals while he considered a legal challenge to President Trump's utilization of the Alien Enemies Act, particularly in relation to the sealed details of the deportations that occurred under this act.
