A U.S. federal judge has demanded answers from the Trump administration regarding the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelans despite a court order temporarily blocking their removal. Judge James Boasberg ordered the government to provide details on the timing of the deportation flights and why officials believed they had complied with his directive.

The controversy stems from the deportation of over 200 Venezuelans, whom the administration labeled as members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The migrants were transported to El Salvador over the weekend, even as the judge halted the government’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify the deportations.

During a hearing on Monday, Boasberg expressed frustration with the administration's response, questioning the lack of clarity. "Why are you showing up today without answers?" he asked the government’s lawyer. The Trump administration has requested the judge's removal from the case, continuing its efforts to expand executive power and challenge judicial oversight.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) had earlier petitioned the court for a temporary block on the deportations, arguing that the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act was legally dubious. In response, the White House claimed that federal courts had no jurisdiction over such expulsions but also insisted it had adhered to the judge’s order.

In a court filing, the administration stated that a spoken directive from the judge on Saturday to return any departing planes was "not enforceable" since it was not in writing. Officials also contended that they did not violate the subsequent written order, as the flights had already taken off. However, Boasberg insisted on obtaining precise flight details, including departure times, locations, and when the migrants were handed over to foreign authorities.

Justice Department attorney Abhishek Kambli argued that releasing certain information could compromise national security and diplomatic relations. Still, Boasberg ordered the administration to submit a report by Tuesday noon, detailing the flights, the number of deported individuals, and the reasoning behind withholding certain data from the public.

Some legal experts dismissed the administration’s justification for refusing to return the planes. Constitutional law professor Michael J. Gerhardt criticized the argument, stating that "a governmental plane on governmental business is not in a law-free zone." He warned that accepting such reasoning could set a dangerous precedent, allowing the government to bypass constitutional constraints simply by operating outside U.S. borders.

With Congress largely backing Trump’s policies, federal courts have emerged as a key check on his executive authority. However, advocacy groups have accused the administration of disregarding judicial rulings in some cases.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that 261 individuals were deported, including 137 under the Alien Enemies Act, more than 100 through standard immigration procedures, and 23 Salvadoran members of the MS-13 gang. Despite branding many deportees as "monsters" and "alien terrorists," the administration has yet to present evidence supporting these claims.

The judge has not yet ruled on whether the administration violated his orders, but Monday’s hearing underscored ongoing tensions between the executive and judicial branches over immigration enforcement.