And now the admin may have taken its biggest step yet toward outright #defiance—though, as is typical of #Trump presidency, it has done…[it]…so haphazard & confused that it’s difficult to untangle what actually happened. But…[it]…is very clear: Trump’s most dangerous tendencies—hatred of immigrants; disdain for the legal process; willingness to push the boundaries of executive authority; &…appetite for going to war w/the courts—are magnifying one another in a uniquely risky way.

#Boasberg did in fact mention #contempt as an aside earlier that I didn’t include.

Here’s the exact quote:

“Two more questions for Mr. Kambli (for the US govt) that don't relate to CONTEMPT / disobeying court orders. 1) Was Trump's Tren de Aragua proclamation signed in secret on Friday? Or on Saturday? Need to know timing & when US thinks it went into effect.”

#law #Constitution #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #AlienEnemiesAct #Trump

With that, the hearing is over. The govt will file more information tomorrow, & it may again refuse to provide specific the information #Boasberg requested (but must explain why). There is a further hearing on the #TRO on Fri, & action in the DC Circuit Court where briefing ends Wed.

#law #Constitution #14thAmendment #5thAmendment #DueProcess #immigration #Venezuela #CivilRights #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #AlienEnemiesAct #Trump

#Boasberg with a sarcastic aside: "What I will hear from you by noon tomorrow — & I will memorialize in written form since apparently my oral orders don't carry much weight — is a written declaration" about the third flight & also the information he's previously ordered them to provide.

#law #Constitution #14thAmendment #5thAmendment #DueProcess #immigration #Venezuela #CivilRights #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #AlienEnemiesAct #Trump

Lee then says they're going to argue that the government should be required to give anyone subject to the #AEA a hearing before finding that they're covered, & they'll be seeking that later.

#Boasberg orders #DOJ to say how many people are designated under AEA. DOJ says again they may refuse.

#law #Constitution #14thAmendment #5thAmendment #DueProcess #immigration #Venezuela #CivilRights #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #AlienEnemiesAct #Trump

#Boasberg then asks how many people are subject to the proclamation & how many people are currently in #ICE custody.

#DOJ says they don't have it. #ACLU also says they don't have it, & points out that the proclamation is vague enough that it's hard for anyone to figure out who is subject.

#law #Constitution #14thAmendment #5thAmendment #DueProcess #immigration #Venezuela #CivilRights #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #AlienEnemiesAct #Trump

#Boasberg then asks the government about another issue; when was the Proclamation actually signed?

The #DOJ atty says that he does not have any information right now as to when the proclamation was signed, & Boasberg asks him to submit that information as well by noon tomorrow, & for the DOJ to provide an argument for when the proclamation went into effect.

#law #Constitution #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #Trump #AlienEnemiesAct

Lee Gelernt says it's "implausible" that they didn't believe they were bound by what #Boasberg said in court, but even if they did, it was obvious that the only proper action was to go back to the court & seek clarification or turn the plane around & appeal.

#law #Constitution #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #Trump #AlienEnemiesAct

#Boasberg then moves to Lee Gelernt of the #ACLU, asking him whether he wants to respond, & noting again that he doesn't plan to issue any rulings today about whether the order was violated.

Lee begins by pointing out the best way to deal with a #TRO they disagreed with was to obey & then appeal.

#law #Constitution #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #Trump #AlienEnemiesAct

#Boasberg points out again that his equitable powers as a judge do not stop at the U.S. border lines or in international airspace.

He pauses & says this is a complex question & it would be better to be arguing them on the basis of the #facts, pointing out again #DOJ didn't give them the facts.

#law #Constitution #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #Trump #AlienEnemiesAct

#Boasberg asks "You're saying that the president somehow has extra powers over a plane once it enters international airspace once it leaves US airspace?"

#DOJ basically says yes, then starts repeating previous arguments.

#law #Constitution #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #Trump #AlienEnemiesAct

Wow. #DOJ is arguing that #Trump has authority OUTSIDE the #AlienEnemiesAct in #InternationalWaters "that would not be subject to either orders."

#Boasberg seems skeptical at a minimum, & asks if the president's foreign power exists only once the plane crosses into international airspace?

#law #Constitution #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #Trump #AlienEnemiesAct

#DOJ is now arguing that this is a #ForeignPolicy issue & claims that the US would suffer if any TdA member weren't deported.

"I'm not calling into the question the government's foreign policy ... I'm just asking how you think my equitable powers do not attach to the plane ... ?"

#law #Constitution #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #Trump #AlienEnemiesAct

#Boasberg says just return the planes then figure out the answer, rather than simply ignoring the order.

#DOJ then says that isn't what they're arguing & then shifts to their third argument, which is inherent presidential authority to move military forces.

/again, these were not #military flights!

#law #Constitution #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #Trump #AlienEnemiesAct

#Boasberg responds to that: "Isn't the response what you think is unconstitutional or improper or illegal injunction to seek modification or appeal?"

#DOJ says "when the planes are in the sky and there is sensitive national security, that's not a call that can be made."

#law #Constitution #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #Trump #AlienEnemiesAct

#DOJ attorney begins saying the #law generally doesn't apply extraterritorially, and #Boasberg stops him, emphasizing that the question here is about his own equitable powers, not the Immigration and Nationality Act.

DOJ says the people had physically been removed so he no longer had jurisdiction.

#law #Constitution #ChecksAndBalances #JudicialBranch #Judiciary #SeparationOfPowers #AbuseOfPower #Trump #AlienEnemiesAct