A radical judge who ordered the Trump Administration to turn around planes deporting Venezuelan gang members argued with DOJ lawyers about his “equitable powers” on Monday during a dramatic hearing.
As previously reported, on Saturday morning, Judge James Boasberg, an Obama-appointee, granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the Trump administration from deporting thousands of Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act.
Far-left America-hating leftist groups such as the ACLU and Democracy Forward, rushed to a DC court in a desperate bid to shield dangerous illegal aliens from deportation.
Later Saturday, Judge Boasberg issued an emergency injunction (it wasn’t filed yet) and ordered the Trump Administration to turn around planes that were deporting dangerous Tren de Aragua Venezuelan gang members.
“Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States however that is accomplished,” Boasberg said in an oral order, according to Politico. “Make sure it’s complied with immediately.”
There were reportedly two flights en route to Central America.
On Sunday morning, El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele mocked Judge Boasberg after two flights from the US carrying approximately 300 Venezuelan aliens and other gang members landed in El Salvador.
Later Sunday, the Trump DOJ provided an update to Boasberg’s order and said the criminal aliens were outside of US territory when the order came down.
The DOJ argued that the judge has zero jurisdiction over international airspace.
On Monday, Trump’s DOJ obliterated Judge Boasberg during a contentious hearing over the Trump Administration’s deportation of criminal Venezuelan aliens.
The DOJ argued that Judge Boasberg has zero jurisdiction over international airspace.
Judge Boasberg repeatedly claimed he has “equitable powers” to stop planes in midair.
Via Margot Cleveland, The Federalist’s senior legal reporter who attended the hearing:
The judge demanded to know:
1) How many planes departed US on Saturday carrying anyone based on Proclamation;
2) How many people in each category;
3) What foreign country/countries did they landed;
4) Time took off & wear; time you contend left US air space; what time landed in each country; what time transferred into that countries custody
JUDGE: These are questions I want answers for & why you won’t me:
1) How many planes departed US on Saturday carrying anyone based on Proclamation;
2) How many people in each category;
3) What foreign country/countries did they landed;
4) Time took off & wear; time you…— Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) March 17, 2025
The DOJ hit back against a demand for a sworn declaration and said it is not necessary because the government complied with the order.
The planes had already departed so the aliens were technically already removed from US territory.
2/ Judge asks Plaintiff if there are other questions that I should be asked?
Direct government to provide sworn declaration was subject to Proclamation to make sure government isn’t basing it on Article II and saying that is basis.
DOJ: None of this is necessary because we…— Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) March 17, 2025
The DOJ said the judge’s oral order on Saturday to turn the planes around was not an injunction.
The DOJ also argued that the aliens were already removed when the judge’s order came down.
The power-hungry judge hit back and claimed his equitable power has extraterritorial reach.
3/ DOJ: Points out oral order is not the injunction. And transcript said saying I would memorialize gave DOJ good faith basis to base to wait for written order.
Judge: Quoting says you’re saying “I’m telling you immediately turn planes around.”
DOJ: Minute order controls.
Judge:…— Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) March 17, 2025
Judge Boasberg told the DOJ that he has the power to order the Trump Admin to return planes.
The DOJ told the judge that the President has authority of military forces.
4/ Judge: My equitable powers can order you to return plane.
DOJ: You lost jurisdiction once outside U.S. airspace, because once physically removed Court has lost because act is completed.
Judge: Better course is return to US to figure out course then to say I don’t care.
DOJ:…— Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) March 17, 2025
Judge Boasberg ordered the DOJ to confirm no one else will be removed from the US and give a sworn declaration that the third flight over the weekend was not subject to his Proclamation.
7/ DOJ: How many subject to Proclamation is national security. Judge: You tell me wait.
Judge: Confirm no one else will be removed from United States.
DOJ: Yes.
Judge: Sworn Declaration that third flight was not subject to Proclamation; and why you can’t answer my questions and…— Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) March 17, 2025
Later Monday, the Trump DOJ asked the appeals court to intervene.
The post DOJ Argues with Power-Hungry Obama Judge Who Ordered Trump Admin to Turn Around Planes Deporting Venezuelan Gang Members in Dramatic Court Hearing appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.