Washington, DC – A federal judge expressed concerns on Thursday regarding the Trump administration’s decision to allow two flights carrying migrants to continue to El Salvador last month, despite his previous ruling ordering the planes to return.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg questioned the Justice Department about its use of the Alien Enemies Act, a seldom-used wartime power, and sought details on the timeline of the flights, which the administration has deemed as confidential information protected by state secrets.

Boasberg pressed the government on its invocation of the state secrets doctrine, challenging them to provide an example where unclassified information was covered by such privilege. The judge also questioned the government’s justification for not complying with his orders, suggesting that their actions were taken in bad faith.

The flights in question departed the U.S. on March 15, the same day President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The administration argued that the Act granted the president authority to swiftly deport alleged members of a Venezuelan gang without due process, leading to over 100 men being sent to a maximum security prison in El Salvador.

Following a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and other immigrant-rights advocates, Judge Boasberg held an emergency hearing and blocked the administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport individuals. Despite his verbal order for the planes to return, they landed in El Salvador later that day.

Boasberg hinted at potential contempt proceedings in the future, suggesting that an order to that effect might be issued soon. The case remains complex, with the Trump administration appealing Boasberg’s injunction to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in his favor.

In the ongoing legal battle, the administration has now taken the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which is deliberating whether to intervene in the matter. The case raises significant questions about executive authority, due process rights, and the limits of government power in immigration enforcement. It underscores the ongoing tensions between federal court orders and the decisions made by the executive branch.

The outcome of this legal saga could have far-reaching implications for the rights of migrants and the balance of power between branches of government. As the judicial process unfolds, the complex interplay between national security considerations, individual liberties, and the rule of law will continue to be at the forefront of legal and political debates.