Trump administration rushed deportation flights out of US before judge blocked them

The Trump administration reportedly expedited deportation flights for 250 Tren de Aragua gang members in response to a leaked judicial order that would have blocked them. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem allegedly worked to launch the planes before Judge James Boasberg could issue his ruling. The judge's order, which blocked such deportations for 14 days, was leaked on Saturday morning, and the flights were already in the air and nearing their destinations by the time it was issued that night. Despite the judge's directive to return the planes to the United States, Trump administration officials, on advice of counsel, decided to proceed with the deportations. At least one plane successfully landed in El Salvador, with President Nayib Bukele confirming the arrival of the gang members. The administration is now arguing that the judge's order is inapplicable because the flights were outside U.S. airspace when it was issued. Officials expressed confidence that any legal challenges would reach the Supreme Court and result in a victory for the administration. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the judge's order as lacking a lawful basis and questioned the court's authority over the President's actions concerning the Alien Enemies Act and foreign affairs.