Federal Judges Reverse Trump Administration Victory
A panel of federal judges has reversed a ruling that had favored President Trump, creating potential complications for the administration related to deportation flights to El Salvador.
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed US District Judge James Boasberg’s April 16 order, which initially identified “probable cause” to hold an administrative official accountable for disregarding a March 15 directive to halt deportation flights to Central America.
In a divided ruling, Judge George Katsas stated that Boasberg’s decision showed an “inappropriate use of power,” especially since the U.S. Supreme Court had already lifted previous restrictions on these flights. Katsas remarked that a district court cannot dictate operational behavior in matters of diplomacy.
Boasberg, appointed by Barack Obama, had instructed Trump administration lawyers to secure custody of deported immigrants, allowing them to challenge their deportation or identify officials who did not comply with the order.
Katsas countered, emphasizing that the district court order interfered with civil and criminal processes and created a significant bias against the government. He noted that the government’s position was constrained to either comply with invalid orders or face consequences related to enforcement.
Judge Cornelia Pillard, another Obama appointee, offered a dissenting opinion, arguing that courts cannot permit litigants to ignore their orders without fear of consequences. She highlighted that intentional noncompliance with court orders is treated as a serious offense.
After the original March hearing, Boasberg issued a 14-day stay under the Alien Enemy Act of 1798, which saw members of a Venezuelan gang being transferred to El Salvador’s notorious terror confinement center. However, shortly after this order, flights continued as two individuals were deported, allegedly in violation of the judge’s directive.
The Supreme Court lifted Boasberg’s order on April 7, prompting a strong response from him just days later.
Attorney General Pam Bondy hailed the Court of Appeals’ decision as a “major victory” for the administration. She noted that it allowed the sustained use of alien enemy laws to deport criminals.
In July, the Trump administration claimed to have returned 252 Venezuelans detained in El Salvador. A lawyer for the deported individuals has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the developments.
