Justice Department Attorney Defends Trump Administration’s Selective Compliance with Court Orders Amid Deportation Controversy

At a hearing on Monday afternoon, a Justice Department attorney under the Trump administration presented arguments to a federal judge in Washington, D.C., regarding the government’s compliance with court orders. The attorney, Abhishek Kambli, asserted that the government could choose not to follow court orders under certain conditions, such as when activities were conducted outside the United States, when orders were issued verbally, or when national security concerns were involved.

The hearing was convened after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg questioned the administration’s actions over the weekend, which involved the deportation of individuals despite a court order to temporarily halt such actions. The order was based on an 18th-century law, and the judge sought clarification on why key information about the deportations was being withheld. The administration’s actions raised concerns about adherence to constitutional processes and the rule of law.

During the proceedings, Judge Boasberg expressed his concerns about the administration’s stance on his court order, summarizing it as a disregard for judicial authority. He pressed the Justice Department attorney for explanations on the administration’s continued deportations and the withholding of information. The judge’s inquiry highlighted the tension between the judiciary and the executive branch regarding the enforcement of court orders.

The Justice Department attorney maintained that the administration had complied with the judge’s written order, which followed an oral ruling issued during an emergency hearing on Saturday. The situation underscored the complexities and challenges involved in balancing national security considerations with adherence to judicial directives and constitutional rights.