‘Stop this’: Trump team defies judge’s order to halt deportations of violent gang members
PALM BEACH, Florida – Members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet are firing back defiantly against a federal judge’s order to block deportation of dangerous Venezuelans who are members of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang.
D.C. District Judge James Boasberg, an Obama appointee, ordered Saturday an immediate stop to deportation flights for TDA members, and even demanded planes already in flight turn around and return the violent criminals back to America.
“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, according to Politico.
“Make sure it’s complied with immediately.”
Despite the ruling, officials in the Trump administration refused to comply.
On Sunday morning, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained: “We have sent 2 dangerous top MS-13 leaders plus 21 of its most wanted back to face justice in El Salvador.
“Also, as promised by @POTUS, we sent over 250 alien enemy members of Tren de Aragua which El Salvador has agreed to hold in their very good jails at a fair price that will also save our taxpayer dollars.
“President @nayibbukele is not only the strongest security leader in our region, he’s also a great friend of the U.S. Thank you!”
We have sent 2 dangerous top MS-13 leaders plus 21 of its most wanted back to face justice in El Salvador. Also, as promised by @POTUS, we sent over 250 alien enemy members of Tren de Aragua which El Salvador has agreed to hold in their very good jails at a fair price that will…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 16, 2025
Saturday night, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a statement indicating: “Tonight, a D.C. trial judge supported Tren de Aragua terrorists over the safety of Americans.
“TdA is represented by the ACLU. This order disregards well-established authority regarding President Trump’s power, and it puts the public and law enforcement at risk.
“The Department of Justice is undeterred in its efforts to work with the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and all of our partners to stop this invasion and Make America Safe Again.”
El Salvador is apparently thrilled to have the criminals being deported back to its country, as President Nayib Bukele posted a video of their ignominious return, saying: :Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable).
“The United States will pay a very low fee for them, but a high one for us.
WATCH:
Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable).
The United States will pay a very low fee for them,… pic.twitter.com/tfsi8cgpD6
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) March 16, 2025
“Over time, these actions, combined with the production already being generated by more than 40,000 inmates engaged in various workshops and labor under the Zero Idleness program, will help make our prison system self-sustainable. As of today, it costs $200 million per year.
“On this occasion, the U.S. has also sent us 23 MS-13 members wanted by Salvadoran justice, including two ringleaders. One of them is a member of the criminal organization’s highest structure.
“This will help us finalize intelligence gathering and go after the last remnants of MS-13, including its former and new members, money, weapons, drugs, hideouts, collaborators, and sponsors.
“As always, we continue advancing in the fight against organized crime. But this time, we are also helping our allies, making our prison system self-sustainable, and obtaining vital intelligence to make our country an even safer place. All in a single action.
“May God bless El Salvador, and may God bless the United States.”
In his declaration Saturday relying on the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, Trump said: “I find and declare that TdA is perpetrating, attempting, and threatening an invasion or predatory incursion against the territory of the United States.”
The judge’s temporary restraining order expires in 14 days, which Boasberg indicated would be sufficient time to litigate the legality of Trump’s declaration.
On CNN’s State of the Union, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-ID) reacted to President Trump invoking the wartime Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan migrants accused of being members of gangs. pic.twitter.com/Sr8JGcSI8Q
— Donald Joseph F. Jr. (@Skooter942000) March 16, 2025
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