Did Trump defy a court order? Judge questions deportations to El Salvador
Trump deportations: Did administration violate court order?
Attorneys for the ACLU demanded the Trump administration provide sworn declarations on whether officials ignored an immigration ruling. The Trump administration contends that District Judge James E. Boasberg's verbal direction did not count.
WASHINGTON - A federal judge is demanding answers after two flights carrying deportees to El Salvador departed despite his verbal order to halt removals under President Donald Trump’s controversial use of the Alien Enemies Act.
During a Monday hearing, U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg criticized the administration’s argument that his order only applied once it was issued in writing and not when it was verbally stated in court. The lawsuit, led by the ACLU and Democracy Forward, accuses the administration of violating judicial authority and unlawfully deporting Venezuelan migrants.
The legal battle is the latest clash over Trump’s expansion of executive power in immigration enforcement, with potential implications for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Did Trump officials defy a court order?
The backstory:
On Saturday night, Judge Boasberg issued a verbal directive telling the Trump administration to halt deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 wartime law Trump invoked to remove migrants linked to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang.
However, at the time of his ruling, two deportation flights had already left Texas for El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele confirmed their arrival on social media. A third flight took off after the judge’s written order was issued but reportedly did not carry any deportees under the act.
In this handout photo provided by the Salvadoran government, a close view of handcuffs placed on the hands of a newly admitted inmate allegedly linked to criminal organizations at CECOT on March 16, 2025 in Tecoluca, El Salvador. (Photo by Salvadoran Government via Getty Images)
The administration claims it complied with the written order, but Boasberg questioned why officials didn’t act when they were verbally instructed to halt deportations.
"That’s one heck of a stretch," Boasberg said in court.
How is the administration defending its actions?
The other side:
Government attorneys argue that only the written order matters, not Boasberg’s verbal directive.
- Deputy Associate Attorney General Abhishek Kambli said that once a deportation flight leaves U.S. airspace, it is beyond the judge’s jurisdiction.
- The Justice Department claims national security concerns prevent it from answering questions about the removals in open court.
- The White House denied allegations that it intentionally defied the judge’s order, despite reports that Trump officials had debated whether to comply.
Boasberg rejected the administration’s request to cancel Monday’s hearing, forcing officials to explain their actions in court. The government has also asked for Boasberg’s removal from the case, further escalating tensions.
What happens next?
Big picture view:
The ACLU and Democracy Forward are pushing for the return of deportees and want the Trump administration to explain under oath what happened.
The judge’s temporary restraining order is set to last up to 14 days, but the case could ultimately reach the Supreme Court, testing the limits of presidential power on immigration enforcement.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s government has condemned the deportations, calling them "kidnappings" and "crimes against humanity." Families of those removed are scrambling to locate their loved ones, many of whom were deported without clear evidence of gang affiliation.
With more court hearings scheduled this week, the legal and political fallout is far from over.
The Source: This report is based on The Associated Press, detailing Judge Boasberg’s ruling, legal arguments from the Trump administration, and reactions from advocacy groups and foreign governments.