Judge Criticizes Trump Administration's Compliance on Deportation Flights

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has criticized the Trump administration for its "woefully insufficient" response to a court order regarding deportation flights of Venezuelan migrants. The judge had issued a March 15 order halting such expulsions and demanded justification for the failure to return deported individuals. The Justice Department submitted its response "in camera," meaning it was given to the judge privately. Boasberg expressed skepticism about the applicability of the state secrets doctrine, especially after Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted details of the flights on social media. Trump called for Boasberg's impeachment, drawing a rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts. Boasberg initially imposed a two-week ban on deportations under Trump's invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which Trump used to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua without final removal orders. The judge found that the law did not provide a basis for asserting that the gang's presence was akin to an act of war. The judge has reset deadlines, requiring the government to explain by 10 a.m. on Friday about discussions regarding invoking the privilege of state secrets, and to decide whether to invoke such privilege by March 25.