The Justice Department is resisting a judge’s demand for more information about deportation flights to El Salvador, claiming such inquiries encroach on executive authority. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg ordered the administration to either provide the requested data or assert state secrets privilege. The tensions highlight ongoing disputes between the Trump administration and the judiciary over immigration policies and executive power.
The Justice Department is currently resisting a federal judge’s request for additional information regarding deportation flights directed to El Salvador. This conflict arises from a broader dispute between the administration and a judge who previously halted deportations under an 18th-century wartime statute, prompting calls for the judge’s impeachment from President Trump amid various legal setbacks that affect his policies.
U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, appointed by President Obama, demanded responses from the Trump administration related to flights transporting deportees, including inquiries about the specifics of the flights. He questioned the administration regarding compliance with his prior directive to return deportees back to the United States, raising concerns that the administration may have disregarded his ruling.
In court filings, the Justice Department asserted that the judge’s inquiries interfere with essential executive responsibilities, particularly in areas concerning national security and foreign affairs. The department suggested that it may invoke “state secrets privilege” to withhold certain requested information, emphasizing that the executive and judicial branches should be viewed as co-equal.
Judge Boasberg subsequently ordered the administration to comply by Thursday noon, allowing the possibility for the administration to assert that releasing information would compromise national security. He argued that his request was not an overreach but a necessary step to verify if the administration violated his orders regarding the deportations.
The administrative stance includes objection to the judge’s authority to interpret the Alien Enemies Act, which President Trump leveraged, alleging an invasion from the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. In the wake of Judge Boasberg’s rulings, the administration had disclosed limited information but refrained from fully disclosing the number of individuals subjected to the related proclamations, though reports indicated 261 deported under the statute.
This ongoing legal struggle highlights critical tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary regarding deportation policies. The Justice Department’s resistance to the judge’s demands raises pertinent questions about the scope of executive authority, national security, and the rule of law. As this situation develops, it will be essential to observe its implications for the administration’s policies and the judicial process surrounding immigration.
Original Source: apnews.com
