Trump administration chastises judge for making deportation flight case 'a picayune dispute'
The Justice Department chastised a federal judge’s demand for information about deportation flights that left the country over the weekend, accusing him of “digressive micromanagement” in a court filing Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to provide him the details under seal by midday Wednesday as the judge investigates whether officials violated his Saturday order to turn around airborne planes, which has been met with a firestorm from Trump and many of his allies.
“What began as a dispute between litigants over the President’s authority to protect the national security and manage the foreign relations of the United States pursuant to both a longstanding Congressional authorization and the President’s core constitutional authorities has devolved into a picayune dispute over the micromanagement of immaterial factfinding,” the Justice Department wrote.
The case commenced as the Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act on Saturday to swiftly deport hundreds of Venezuelan migrants it says are suspected gang members. At a rare weekend hearing, Boasberg blocked the administration from moving ahead and ordered any planes to turn around.
Ever since, the plaintiffs have questioned whether the government violated the judge’s orders; the Justice Department insists that it didn’t because the migrants were already out of U.S. territory.
After the administration insisted national security concerns prevent it from sharing the flight details publicly, Boasberg, an appointee of former President Obama, set Wednesday’s deadline to provide the information to him under seal.
The Justice Department’s new, sharply worded filing asks Boasberg to pause the deadline, signaling that, if he doesn’t, the government may keep resisting by invoking the state secrets privilege.
“The Court has now spent more time trying to ferret out information about the Government’s flight schedules and relations with foreign countries than it did in investigating the facts before certifying the class action in this case. That observation reflects how upside-down this case has become, as digressive micromanagement has outweighed consideration of the case’s legal issues,” the Justice Department wrote.
The administration has simultaneously asked the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals to step in to block the judge’s orders and remove him from the case. The appeals panel could rule anytime once the final brief is submitted later Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the case has fueled a battle between Trump and Chief Justice John Roberts, who issued a rare public rebuke of the president after he called for Boasberg’s impeachment.
-
DOJ again refuses to share info with judge on Venezuelan deportation flights
The Justice Department (DOJ) once again rebuffed a federal judge’s demands to provide a rationale for why it was declining to provide information about deportation flights of Venezuelan migrants. ...The Hill - 1d -
Judge gives Trump administration 1 more day to turn over deportation flight info
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg gave the Trump administration a one-day extension to turn over information about deportation flights that left the country Saturday, as the government suggests it ...The Hill - 5h -
Judge orders Trump administration to reveal details of deportation flights to El Salvador
The Trump administration has until noon Tuesday to share details with a federal judge about the deportation flights carrying undocumented Venezuelans with alleged gang ties over the weekend. CBS ...CBS News - 1d -
Judge warns of possible 'consequences' after DOJ push back on questions about deportation flights
WASHINGTON — A federal judge Wednesday warned of the possibility of "consequences" after the Justice Department pushed back on his request for more information about the deportation flights that ...NBC News - 8h -
Judge demands answers after Trump administration ignores rulings over deportation flights
A judge is demanding answers as to why the Trump administration ignored his ruling on a series of deportation flights. According to the Constitution, the decision should have been binding. However, ...CBS News - 1d -
Judge lashes out at Trump admin over deportation flights
A federal judge lashed out at the Trump administration Monday for refusing to answer questions about flights deporting Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act after he ordered them to turn ...The Hill - 1d -
Supreme Court chief justice rebukes Trump over call to impeach judge in deportation case
Trump's demand came a day after Chief Judge James Boasberg grilled a Department of Justice lawyer about deportations of alleged Tren de Aragua gang members.CNBC - 1d -
Bondi says judge has 'no right' to ask flight deportation questions
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the district judge who ordered the Trump administration to return deportation flights over the weekend has “no right” to be asking questions about the specifics. ...The Hill - 51m -
Breakdown of Alien Enemies Act and Trump administration's deportation flights against judge's order
The Trump administration has until noon Tuesday to share details with a federal judge about the deportation flights carrying undocumented Venezuelans. The White House carried out the flights even ...CBS News - 1d
More from The Hill
-
Bondi says judge has 'no right' to ask flight deportation questions
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the district judge who ordered the Trump administration to return deportation flights over the weekend has “no right” to be asking questions about the specifics. ...The Hill - 51m -
Trump tariffs complicate Fed outlook
Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story Fed sees inflation threat in Trump tariffs Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell ...The Hill - 53m -
Trump ratchets up fight against judges, rivals
President Trump has put his foot firmly back on the gas of getting revenge against his political enemies and those who don’t comply with his wishes. The White House on Wednesday escalated its ...The Hill - 1h -
Amtrak CEO steps down amid Musk calls to privatize
Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said Wednesday he would resign from his post in an effort to resolve concerns from the Trump administration. “I am stepping down as CEO to ensure that Amtrak continues to ...The Hill - 1h -
Sanders, AOC hit the road for a ‘populist revolt’
☣️ Plus: Trump eyes Ukraine's nuclear power plants {beacon} Evening Report TRUMP FIRST 100 DAYS © Greg Nash Sanders, AOC hit the road for a 'populist revolt' SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-Vt.) is set to ...The Hill - 1h
More in Politics
-
Bondi says judge has 'no right' to ask flight deportation questions
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the district judge who ordered the Trump administration to return deportation flights over the weekend has “no right” to be asking questions about the specifics. ...The Hill - 51m -
Trump tariffs complicate Fed outlook
Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story Fed sees inflation threat in Trump tariffs Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell ...The Hill - 53m -
Trump ratchets up fight against judges, rivals
President Trump has put his foot firmly back on the gas of getting revenge against his political enemies and those who don’t comply with his wishes. The White House on Wednesday escalated its ...The Hill - 1h -
Jordan vows hearings on judicial rulings after Trump calls for impeachments
The Judiciary Committee chair has not endorsed the president’s push to impeach judges.Politico - 1h -
'Ukrainians do not trust this process' as Trump says Zelenskyy agrees to a partial ceasefire
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke by phone Wednesday morning, during which Trump says Zelenskyy agreed to a partial ceasefire. NBC News Chief Foreign ...NBC News - 1h