Federal Chief Judge James Boasberg handed the Trump administration a new legal blow to their deportation flights case on Monday by not lifting the ban he previously implemented.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email Monday for comment.
Why It Matters
Since his January 20 inauguration, President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping change, mainly through executive orders, and prioritized immigration as a key pillar.
Earlier this month, Trump utilized the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime law that grants the commander-in-chief the authority to detain or deport non-citizens. The implementation was blocked in federal court and has thus sparked a contentious legal back and forth with Judge Boasberg.
What To Know
In a new ruling on Monday, Boasberg rejected the administration's motion to vacate the temporary restraining order against the flights nationwide.
Boasberg noted partially that the "Plaintiffs — as just explained — have shown that they have a high likelihood of suffering significant harm if the Proclamation is allowed to apply to them. There is, moreover, a strong public interest in preventing the mistaken deportation of people based on categories they have no right to challenge."
Later in the ruling, Boasberg wrote, "As the Government's asserted harms do not outweigh those Plaintiffs face, the Court finds that the balance of equities tips in Plaintiffs' favor, and that preliminary relief is in the public interest."
In a separate legal setting, the Trump administration has appealed Boasberg's ban and asked a court to reverse his order on Monday.
Notably, Trump's public back-and-forth led to him calling for Boasberg's impeachment for his restraining order against the flights, ultimately provoking a rare comment from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
"For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose," Roberts said.
What People Are Saying
Trump's border czar, Thomas Homan, Sunday on X, formerly Twitter: "The look of a Liberal Federal Judge right before he stops illegal aliens who commit r*pe from being deported. Raise your hand, America. Anyone else thinks Judge James Boasberg should be investigated by the DOJ and FBI?"
Republican Congressman Brandon Gill of Texas, last week on X: "I just introduced Articles of Impeachment against radical activist Judge James Boasberg. He is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors and should be removed from office."
What Happens Next
The Trump administration will have its case heard by an appellate court judge on Monday.
Update 3/24/25, 5:36 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
About the writer
Anna Commander is a Newsweek Editor and writer based in Florida. Her focus is reporting on crime, weather and breaking ... Read more