The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) criticized U.S. District Judge James Boasberg for what it described as “digressive micromanagement” in a case involving deportation flights of Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador. The judge had ordered the DOJ to submit detailed answers about the flights, including specific times and locations related to the deportation process. The DOJ requested more time to respond, arguing that the court’s focus on the specifics of flight schedules was distracting from the legal issues of the case. They further argued that the court’s actions were infringing on the Executive Branch’s authority over foreign affairs and national security, especially as revealing such information could harm U.S. relations with allies and compromise national security efforts.

The case centers around a legal battle after Judge Boasberg issued a 14-day restraining order blocking the Trump administration’s deportation plans, which were aimed at members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Human rights groups argued that Venezuelan nationals with legitimate asylum claims could be wrongfully deported, while the Trump administration maintained that the judge’s order came too late to halt two planes already en route. A third plane, which took off after the order was issued, did not carry any deportees under the Alien Enemies Act. Tensions escalated as the judge and DOJ clashed over the scope of his authority, with a House Republican lawmaker introducing articles of impeachment against the judge for blocking the flights.