(NewsNation) — White House border czar Tom Homan defended the Trump administration’s actions in deporting people even after a judge ordered a stop to the recent action.
Homan characterized the flights, which relied on the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, as being used to remove terrorists from the U.S.
“I can’t believe the media would question the ability of the president to remove terrorists from this country,” he said Monday when gaggling with reporters.
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When questioned as to how the administration could be sure those removed were terrorists, Homan cited “various investigations” but declined to provide any more detail. He also repeated the claim that a plane full of deportees was already over international orders when a judge issued the order blocking deportations.
On Sunday, during an interview on Fox News, Homan said the administration was not stopping.
“I don’t care what the judges think,” Homan said. “I don’t care.”
When asked about Homan’s remarks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is not in violation of the judge’s order.
“I can assure you that the administration is complying with the court order,” she said. “And as I have said, repeatedly from this podium, all of the flights that were subject to the judge’s written order departed before the written order, and we are prepared to make that case in court later this afternoon.”
NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer asked Leavitt about criticism that due process is being violated and Leavitt said President Trump will use “every lever” to enforce immigration laws.
She said “countless lives” will be saved because of the president’s actions and said the administration is acting on promises made during the campaign.
President Donald Trump invoked the wartime act and targeted members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The act is designed to be used in the event of war or an invasion of the U.S.
Brown University doctor deported despite judge’s order
Trump invoked the act Saturday morning. That evening, a judge blocked the order temporarily. The temporary restraining order prevented the administration from launching new deportation flights and the judge verbally ordered any planes in the air to return to the U.S.
A plane full of nearly 261 people was sent to El Salvador despite the block, roughly half of whom were alleged to be TdA members.
The Trump administration claims the flight was out of U.S. jurisdiction when the order was issued. The ACLU claims the administration violated the court order. A judge has ordered a hearing on the flights for 5 p.m. EDT on Monday.
The court battle over the law is likely to progress to the Supreme Court.
