WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration is standing firm on its controversial decision to use a wartime law from 1798 to deport Venezuelan migrants, despite a federal judge blocking the move and Venezuela denying that the deportees were gang members.
Trump Officials Say Migrants Were Dangerous
Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared on Fox News to defend the administration’s actions, claiming that the 137 deported Venezuelans were part of the Tren de Aragua gang, a feared criminal group that Washington has labeled a terrorist organization.
“It’s modern-day warfare, and we are going to continue to fight that and protect American citizens every single step of the way,” Bondi said.
However, Venezuela’s Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, refuted these claims, stating that none of the deported individuals were linked to the gang. Immigration advocates and the deportees’ relatives have also denied any criminal ties.
The 1798 Alien Enemies Act: A Wartime Law in 2025?
The Trump administration used the Alien Enemies Act, a 225-year-old law, to justify the deportations. This law was originally created to expel foreign nationals from countries the U.S. was at war with.
White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz argued that the law applies because the Tren de Aragua gang allegedly acts as a “proxy” for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
“Maduro is deliberately emptying his prisons in a proxy manner to influence an attack on the United States,” Waltz said on CBS’ Face the Nation program.
However, no official evidence has been provided to support this claim.
Judge Pushes Back Against Trump’s Deportations
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg previously blocked the administration from using the Alien Enemies Act for deportations, but the government still sent two flights of deportees to El Salvador.
Now, Judge Boasberg is investigating whether the Trump administration violated his court order and has demanded an explanation by March 25.
Legal Experts Warn of a Possible Constitutional Crisis
Legal scholars are raising concerns that this situation could escalate into a constitutional crisis, as it highlights the growing conflict between the judiciary and the executive branch.
Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, insisted that his team would not ignore court orders but vowed to continue arresting dangerous migrants.
“We’re going to continue to arrest public safety threats and national security threats,” Homan told ABC News’ This Week program.
Bondi Slams “Activist” Judges
Bondi accused Judge Boasberg of interfering with the Trump administration’s foreign policy and called him “out of control.”
“This is a federal judge trying to control our entire foreign policy,” she said.
She also criticized other federal judges who have ruled against Trump’s policies, calling them “activist judges” and suggesting that many “should be recused from these cases.”
What Happens Next?
The Trump administration has until March 25 to provide the court with more details on the deportations. With tensions rising between the White House and the judiciary, this case could set a major legal precedent for how far a president can go in using wartime powers for immigration enforcement.
