While a D.C. federal judge tried to tie the Trump administration’s hands, the White House just found a legal off-ramp — and used it to boot 17 violent gang members out of the country over the weekend. No law broken. No court order violated. Just good, old-fashioned executive competence.
A temporary restraining order (TRO) from Judge James Boasberg was supposed to block deportations under the Alien Enemies Act — the Trump-era tool used to fast-track the removal of foreign nationals tied to criminal organizations like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. But instead of bowing to the bench, the Trump administration pulled out a different weapon from its legal arsenal: Title 8, the standard immigration authority used to deport individuals with final removal orders.
The result? Seventeen gang members, including child rapists and murderers, got a one-way ticket to El Salvador. And not a single piece of federal law was broken.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the operation, tweeting, “These criminals will no longer terrorize our communities.” He also highlighted Trump’s formal designation of MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, a move that not only underscores the threat these groups pose but also strengthens legal justification for future deportations.
Last night, in a successful counter-terrorism operation with our allies in El Salvador, the United States military transferred a group of 17 violent criminals from the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 organizations, including murderers and rapists.
In order to keep the American people…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 31, 2025
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, a tough-on-crime ally of Trump, confirmed the operation and its stakes. Bukele credited close military and law enforcement collaboration between the U.S. and El Salvador.
Last night, in a joint military operation with our allies from the United States, we transferred 17 extremely dangerous criminals linked to Tren de Aragua and MS-13.
All individuals are confirmed murderers and high-profile offenders, including six child rapists.
This operation… pic.twitter.com/Tk1Xq7vnuB
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) March 31, 2025
Among those deported was Keivis Jesus Arrecheder Vasquez, a known Tren de Aragua figure and accused drug trafficker. The group also included six other Venezuelans tied to Tren de Aragua and ten members of the notoriously savage MS-13 gang.
Boasberg’s TRO, backed by the ACLU and upheld by the D.C. Circuit Court, tried to limit Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act — arguing it lacked “procedural safeguards.” What the administration just proved is simple: it doesn’t need that law to get the job done.
With the DOJ already preparing an appeal to the Supreme Court, and gang members being shipped out anyway, the White House has effectively checkmated its opponents.
Liberals can wring their hands all they want. But Trump just protected American communities, upheld the law, and reminded everyone that when you elect a president who actually means business, the job gets done.
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