Karoline Leavitt Says ‘This is a Massive Win for the American Public’ [WATCH]

The Trump administration is standing firm against a ruling by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, an Obama appointee, after he blocked the deportation of Tren de Aragua (TDA) gang members.

The ruling, which temporarily halted removals under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, sought to prevent the Trump administration from deporting violent foreign criminals.

However, administration officials confirmed that hundreds of these gang members were successfully deported before the judge’s order could take effect.

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Boasberg’s ruling explicitly ordered an immediate halt to deportation flights for Tren de Aragua members.

In a move that raised eyebrows, he even demanded that planes already en route turn back and bring the deported individuals back into the United States.

According to ABC News, Boasberg ordered that “any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States.”

US District judge James Boasberg, an Obama appointee, just HALTED deportations after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act.

He also reportedly ordered planes that were already in the air deporting illegals, to turn back to the U.S. pic.twitter.com/VIRfeQdBXl

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 16, 2025

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He further instructed, “However that’s accomplished, turning around the plane, or not embarking anyone on the plane… this is something that you need to make sure is complied with immediately.”

Sorry, nobody voted for James Boasberg.

Am I doing this right? pic.twitter.com/YJUm6gZbdM

— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) March 16, 2025

Despite this directive, the administration proceeded with its deportation efforts, arguing that the ruling exceeded the judge’s authority and interfered with national security.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the administration had already deported hundreds of Tren de Aragua gang members, along with several high-profile MS-13 leaders, before the ruling could take full effect.

“We have sent two dangerous top MS-13 leaders plus 21 of its most wanted back to face justice in El Salvador,” Rubio announced.

“Also, as promised by POTUS, we sent over 250 alien enemy members of Tren de Aragua which El Salvador has agreed to hold in their very good jails at a fair price that will also save our taxpayer dollars. President Nayib Bukele is not only the strongest security leader in our region, he’s also a great friend of the U.S. Thank you!”

We have sent 2 dangerous top MS-13 leaders plus 21 of its most wanted back to face justice in El Salvador. Also, as promised by @POTUS, we sent over 250 alien enemy members of Tren de Aragua which El Salvador has agreed to hold in their very good jails at a fair price that will…

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 16, 2025

The deportations took place under the authority of the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime provision designed to protect Americans from foreign threats.

The law, which dates back to 1798, allows the president to take action against nationals of hostile entities during times of national security concerns.

Following the judge’s order, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that nearly 300 illegal immigrants would remain incarcerated in El Salvador and would not be returned to the U.S., despite the court’s ruling.

“The President signed a proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act against Tren de Aragua members who have invaded our country,” Leavitt said during an interview with Maria Bartiromo.

“These are the most violent, heinous criminal monsters you could ever imagine. They have taken the lives of innocent American women like Jocelyn Nungaray and Laken Riley. The President invoked this authority to deport nearly 300 of them, who are now in El Salvador, where they will be behind bars—where they belong—rather than roaming freely in American communities. This is a massive win for the American public, and it is going to save lives.”

.@PressSec: “@POTUS signed a proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act against Tren de Aragua members who have invaded our country … @POTUS invoked this authority to deport nearly 300 of them who are now in El Salvador, where they will be behind bars where they belong.” pic.twitter.com/LdPyvviBnV

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 16, 2025

Attorney General Pam Bondi also released a statement criticizing the judge’s ruling and reaffirming the administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws.

“Tonight, a DC trial judge supported Tren de Aragua terrorists over the safety of Americans,” Bondi stated.

“TdA is represented by the ACLU. This order disregards well-established authority regarding President Trump’s power, and it puts the public and law enforcement at risk. The Department of Justice is undeterred in its efforts to work with the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and all of our partners to stop this invasion and Make America Safe Again.”

The ruling by Judge Boasberg has ignited yet another legal and political battle over immigration policy, with the Trump administration asserting its right to remove dangerous foreign criminals.

The decision to invoke the Alien Enemies Act underscores the administration’s hardline stance on border security, a policy that remains a key priority.

The administration’s swift action to deport hundreds of Tren de Aragua members before the judge’s ruling took effect signals an ongoing struggle between the executive branch and the courts over immigration enforcement.

Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable).

The United States will pay a very low fee for them,… pic.twitter.com/tfsi8cgpD6

— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) March 16, 2025

As the legal battle unfolds, the White House has made it clear that it will continue prioritizing the safety of American citizens over judicial roadblocks.

For now, the deported gang members remain in El Salvador, where they will face incarceration rather than posing a threat to American communities.

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