White House Accuses USIP Leadership of Barricading Building; DOJ Clashes with Judge over Deportation Flights; French Researcher Denied US Entry Over Trump Criticism

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused the former leadership of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) of physically barricading themselves inside the building to prevent the new administration's appointees from entering. Leavitt stated that staff disabled telephone lines, internet connections, and IT infrastructure. She attributed this to resistance from bureaucrats opposing change. Separately, the Justice Department objected to U.S. District Judge James Boasberg's demands for information regarding deportation flights to El Salvador carrying Venezuelan nationals. The DOJ accused Boasberg of "digressive micromanagement" and suggested it might invoke the state secrets privilege. The dispute arose after Boasberg temporarily blocked deportations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The DOJ argued that disclosing flight details could have international repercussions. In a separate incident, the French government reported that a French researcher was denied entry into the U.S. and deported after authorities found messages on his phone criticizing the Trump administration's treatment of scientists. The messages were reportedly deemed to express "hatred towards Trump" and were characterized as potentially constituting "terrorism."