Sources familiar with the matter told ABC News that President Donald Trump’s administration deliberately chose to disregard a judge’s order to turn back two flights carrying numerous alleged Venezuelan gang members. Chief Judge James Boasberg of the Washington, D.C., District Court had verbally instructed the government to redirect any aircraft that had already left the country if they were still airborne. The administration justified its decision to proceed with the flights over international waters based on operational and national security concerns.
At a hearing, Judge Boasberg had prohibited the deportation of “all non-citizens subject to the AEA proclamation” for a minimum of 14 days, issuing a temporary restraining order. During this period, Immigration and Customs Enforcement was directed to retain custody of the noncitizens in question. Despite this judicial order, top officials in the administration opted to continue with the flights, asserting that the court’s jurisdiction did not extend to actions over international waters.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the administration did not outright refuse to comply with the court order, as it argued that the alleged gang members had already been removed from U.S. territory before the order was issued. Leavitt emphasized the President’s authority under the Alien Enemies Act and his responsibility for national security matters.
In response to Judge Boasberg’s ruling, the Trump administration sought a stay from the D.C. Circuit Court. Administration officials maintained that the judge overstepped his jurisdiction with the TRO, describing it as an unprecedented intrusion on the executive branch’s authority to address national security threats.
“The Justice Department attorney stated in an emergency motion for a stay that the administration has the authority to deport dangerous aliens believed to be associated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, who are considered a serious threat to the American people. President Trump recently signed a proclamation declaring the gang’s actions as ‘irregular warfare’ against the U.S., invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for their deportation. Alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang, deported by the U.S. government, are seen detained at the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador. The administration argues that Trump’s actions under the AEA are not open to judicial review and that there is no legal basis for the court to halt the deportation. The Justice Department warned that allowing the Temporary Restraining Order to remain in place would give district courts the authority to block any urgent national security measures based solely on a complaint. The D.C. Circuit Court has requested a response from the plaintiffs’ attorneys by Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the ongoing case. Reports suggest that the Trump administration has disregarded a judge’s order to redirect deportation flights.”
