President Donald Trump sought to downplay his involvement in invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan migrants, stating that he did not personally sign the proclamation. Despite this claim, he affirmed his administration’s decision. When questioned about the circumstances surrounding the signing of the proclamation, Trump mentioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s role in the matter, emphasizing the administration’s objective to remove criminals from the country.
Trump’s remarks contradicted a White House statement clarifying that he had indeed signed the recent Executive Order invoking the Alien Enemies Act. The President’s mention of Rubio’s involvement and indication that others handled the process were not aligned with the official statement. During a court hearing, Judge James Boasberg expressed concerns about the administration’s actions regarding the deportation flights and promised to investigate any potential violations of his orders.
The Justice Department’s arguments at the hearing focused on urging Boasberg to lift his orders temporarily halting the use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations. Boasberg, appointed by former President Barack Obama, criticized the government’s approach in court filings and expressed displeasure over the handling of the case. He vowed to determine the implications of any violations and ensure that his orders were respected.
Boasberg is accused of having ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The administration contends that Boasberg overstepped his authority by halting the removals, arguing that Trump’s utilization of the act is not subject to review by federal courts. This article has been revised to include more information. CNN’s Devan Cole provided additional reporting for this story. To stay updated with CNN news and newsletters, sign up for an account on CNN.com.
