DOJ Argues Courts Can't Review Tariffs, Deportations, Deployments

After federal judge Jon Tigar in Oakland blocks Trump's proclamation barring asylum applications from people crossing between ports of entry, Trump says, "This was an Obama judge." Chief Justice John Roberts issues a rare public rebuke.

The Department of Homeland Security launches an operation to remove alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua to a prison in El Salvador, without advance notice. ACLU lawyers file a class action on behalf of five named Venezuelan detainees, plus an emergency application for a temporary restraining order. Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court in Washington grants a TRO for the named plaintiffs.

The proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act is posted on the White House website — after the litigation had already begun.

Boasberg convenes a Zoom hearing between ACLU lawyer Lee Gelernt and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign, certifies the class, and orally extends the TRO to "all noncitizens in U.S. custody" covered by the proclamation. He tells Ensign any plane carrying the detainees "needs to be returned to the United States."

238 Venezuelan detainees are flown to El Salvador on three flights out of Harlingen, Texas — including one that departed after Boasberg put his instruction in writing.

Trump posts on Truth Social that Boasberg is a "Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge" who "should be IMPEACHED!!!" Roberts responds publicly again.

Sullum's analysis of the pattern is published.