R-Tenn. Rep. Tim Burchett of the United States was sparred with CNN host John Berman on Tuesday on whether federal judges have constitutional authority to block Trump's deportation flights under the alien enemy law.
The administration was caught up in a legal battle with a federal judge over President Donald Trump, calling for alien enemy laws and targeting members of Venezuelan gangster Tren de Aragua's deportation.
Hours after calling the law, President Obama's appointee Judge James E. Boasberg granted a temporary restraining order that would prevent the deportation of five Venezuelans, and ordered a plane they are believed to return to the United States.
When he appeared on CNN, Burchett accused the judge as an “activist” and accused him of “political overreach.”
The Trump administration has a deadline to disclose details of deportation flights after a judge's order
President Donald Trump is seen in a split photo alongside District Judge James Boasberg of the Columbia U.S. District Court. ((Photo Credit Associated Press/Getty Images))
CNN host John Berman pushed back the Republican comments and asked if he had problems with “federal judges interpret federal law” and if he thought the judge had been “illegally confirmed by the Senate.”
Burchett doubled his criticism of the judge and said that those the administration targeted for deportation were criminals.
“I never understand why CNN is on the side of many murderers who have come to our country illegally. And you realize you have to set your position, but that's total nonsense. And the American people aren't buying it.”
“Listen, this is an act of war by these countries,” Burchett continued. “These people come in and they come across our borders illegally. What happens if 14 million people flock together the borders at once? Has it still spread over four years? 14 million people. Do you think it's an illegal aggression? Do you think it's an act of war? These people are fair… that's an act of war.”
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R-Tenn. Rep. Tim Burchett, of the United States, condemned the federal judge's decision to suspend the Trump administration's deportation flight amid heated detention debate.
The debate continued as Berman defended the judge's authority to suspend deportation. He asked Burchett if he believed the White House was “liable to comply with a sentence from federal judiciary.”
Burchett said he believes Trump and border emperor Tom Homan are “behaving properly” and has taken immigration measures that have been “overwhelmingly” and are “overwhelmingly” supported by Americans.
He became frustrated after Berman argued that the judge was asking him to consider “fresh” use of the alien enemy president rather than “on his side.”
“Ah, come on,” replied Burchet. “Listening – the difference between God and these judges is that God knows that he is not one of these judges. They are rog arrogant. They are always practicing this type of thing.”
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On March 5, 2025, special agents with ice carried out an operation targeting criminal aliens in accordance with the Laken Riley Act in Miami, Florida. (x/hsi_miami)
“If there's someone who's conservative you do that, you're all going to raise hell totally,” he said of CNN.
Berman reiterated he wanted lawmakers' opinions on how the White House should respond to these judicial rulings, but said the question seemed to “upset” him.
“I think what's confusing me is that everyone on CNN is taking the far left side continuously. That's why your ratings continue to fall sharply.
“You're not in contact with me at all,” the lawmaker denounced the CNN host as the two continued to talk to each other.
Berman defended his line of questions as “valid” and said he asked his questions in a “respectful” way. But lawmakers continued to say that CNN is defending the judge and that the network is “silly” to be out of place from the rest of the country.
CNN did not immediately return a request for Fox News Digital's comment.
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Homan also condemned the “radical” judge's ruling when he appeared on Fox News, saying he “denies logic” to allow members of recognized terrorist organizations to remain in the country.
Taylor Penley of Fox News contributed to this report.
