Donald Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., to replace District Court Judge James Boasberg for allegedly engaging in an “inappropriate exercise of jurisdiction” as he oversees a case challenging the administration’s deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members.
Judge Boasberg attempted to block Trump’s deportation flights carrying hundreds of people linked to the Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador over the weekend, disputing the invocation of the wartime Alien Enemies Act 1798 and ordering planes already in the air to turn around.
On Monday, he demanded answers as to why that was not done as Trump allies including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and advisers Alina Habba and Stephen Miller hit the airwaves to rebuke the judge for overstepping his authority in challenging an executive order from the president.
The commander-in-chief has meanwhile announced that he is revoking the Secret Service protection afforded to Joe Biden’s children Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden and pledged to release 80,000 pages of unredacted files related to the assassination of John F Kennedy.
On Tuesday, Trump will call his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the Ukraine war.
Read More
Key Points
- Donald Trump’s Justice Dept allies seek to oust judge who questioned deportation order
- Trump to release JFK assassination files on Tuesday
- Border czar Tom Homan says 'I don't care what the judges think' about deportations
- President declares Joe Biden’s pardons ‘void’ and threatens Jan 6 committee
Trump revokes Hunter and Ashley Biden’s 'ridiculous' Secret Service protection
09:40
,
Joe Sommerlad
The commander-in-chief has announced that he is revoking the Secret Service protection afforded to Joe Biden’s children Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden, saying as much on Truth Social last night.
Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States Taxpayer. There are as many as 18 people on this Detail, which is ridiculous! He is currently vacationing in, of all places, South Africa, where the Human Rights of…
— Trump Posts on (@trump_repost) March 17, 2025
Also on his social media platform, Trump followed up on his campaign promise to back “beautiful, clean coal” – the environment be damned – launched an extraordinary attack on The Atlantic magazine in the course of which he claimed to have won the presidency three times (Narrator: “He didn’t”) and hailed April 2, when his reciprocal tariffs policy comes into effect, as “Liberation Day”.
After years of being held captive by Environmental Extremists, Lunatics, Radicals, and Thugs, allowing other Countries, in particular China, to gain tremendous Economic advantage over us by opening up hundreds of all Coal Fire Power Plants, I am authorizing my Administration to…
— Trump Posts on (@trump_repost) March 17, 2025
Third Rate Magazine, "The Atlantic," that made up the "Suckers and Losers" Hoax about me and the Military, and refused to even acknowledge the vast horde of people who emphatically denied this FAKE STORY, has asked me to do an interview.
— Trump Posts on (@trump_repost) March 17, 2025
Below is my response:
Ashley Parker is…
April 2nd is Liberation Day for America, because we will start taking back some of the vast wealth that has been taken from us due to the many weak, incompetent, and perhaps even dishonest politicians who have represented us in the past!
— Trump Posts on (@trump_repost) March 17, 2025
Trump’s DOJ allies seek to oust judge who questioned deportation order
09:26
,
Joe Sommerlad
Donald Trump’s Department of Justice has asked a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., to replace District Court Judge James Boasberg for allegedly engaging in an “inappropriate exercise of jurisdiction” as he oversees a case challenging the administration’s deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members.
Judge Boasberg attempted to block Trump’s deportation flights carrying hundreds of people linked to the Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador over the weekend, disputing the invocation of the wartime Alien Enemies Act 1798 and ordering planes already in the air to turn around.
On Monday, he demanded answers as to why that was not done as Trump allies including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and advisers Alina Habba and Stephen Miller flooded the airwaves to rebuke the judge for overstepping his authority in challenging an executive order from the president.
Bondi: This one federal judge thinks he can control foreign policy for the entire country and he cannot. Right now, we’re evaluating our options.
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 18, 2025
Jeanine: The administration may continue doing these flights?
Bondi: Absolutely pic.twitter.com/KFDeCDVcyG
Leavitt: If we live in a country where the will of the American people is subverted by a single judge in a single court, we no longer live in a democracy pic.twitter.com/bWyycFV8U1
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 18, 2025
Habba: To have a federal judge come in and say I don’t agree with President with an executive order… it’s unthinkable pic.twitter.com/hV67sSF7CZ
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 17, 2025
Miller: District court judges do not have the authority, as a general matter, to enjoin the functioning of the executive branch pic.twitter.com/QARfhmNZno
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 17, 2025
Alex Woodward and Josh Marcus have the latest.
JFK’s killing has fascinated America for 60 years. But are we about to find out anything new?
08:50
,
Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump has ordered the declassification of all files related to the 1963 assassination of then-president John F. Kennedy - and FBI officials say they have found thousands more pages of docs ready for the public.
But should the world expect much from them?
The answer is murky, at best.
Katie Hawkinson reports.
Amid backlash from funding bill vote, Chuck Schumer delays book tour over ‘security concerns’
08:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer has delayed his book tour this week for “security reasons” following the backlash over backing a Republican spending bill.
The Senate Minority Leader announced Thursday that he would advance the Republican bill to avert a government shutdown, branded a “tremendous mistake” by some in the Democratic Party.
Schumer was scheduled to appear in New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore this week to promote his new book titled Antisemitism in America: A Warning, but now the events have been postponed.
Rhian Lubin has the latest.
Gold 'everywhere': How Trump has completely transformed the Oval Office
07:50
,
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s first eight weeks back in the White House have been a whirlwind but the president has still found time for one of his passions: interior decoration.
Not content with firing out executive orders, raising and lowering tariffs and unnerving the stock markets and America’s allies alike, the president has been busy redesigning the Oval Office, ensuring its furnishings, fixtures and ornaments are more in keeping with his personal taste.
And for Trump, that means gold. And plenty of it.
Joe Sommerlad has the story.
He voted for Trump. Now his Peruvian wife is stuck in ICE custody
07:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
A Wisconsin man who voted for President Donald Trump is devastated after his Peruvian wife was detained by Immigration Customs and Enforcement.
Newlyweds Bradley Bartell and Camila Muñoz were on their way home after honeymooning in Puerto Rico last month when they were pulled aside by an immigration agent at the airport.
Rhian Lubin reports.
French official calls for US to give back Statue of Liberty
06:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
A French politician is requesting the U.S. return the Statue of Liberty in the wake of President Donald Trump’s policies that appear to side with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Raphaël Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament, made the remarks at a convention of the Place Publique center-left movement Sunday.
Michelle Del Rey has the story.
MAGA is obsessed with the Epstein files — Why?
05:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
As we await the release of supposedly unredacted files relating to the assassination of President John F Kennedy, due Tuesday afternoon, Rhian Lubin takes a look at the last rollout of supposedly bombshell government files.
A former Proud Boys leader was freed from a 17-year prison sentence by Trump. Then his problems began
04:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
Richard Hall writes:
On the day Joe Biggs found out he was being released from a lengthy jail sentence by the newly inaugurated Donald Trump, a prison officer was on hand to dampen his mood.
“You're still gonna get screwed,” Biggs recalls the guard warning him. “You're not getting pardoned. You're only getting your sentence commuted, so you're still a terrorist.”
It would turn out to be a prescient parting shot.
Read on...
National Institutes of Health officials reportedly told scientists to erase mRNA vaccine references on grants
03:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
Officials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have reportedly told scientists to scrub all references to mRNA vaccine technology from grant applications, sparking fears that the agency could soon scrap research programs into the vaccinations under Health and Human Services Commissioner Robert F Kennedy Jr.
One vaccine scientist based in New York funded by the agency was warned that references to mRNA vaccines should not appear in any future applications after referring to them in previous ones.
Rhian Lubin has the details.
After Trump dismantles Voice of America, journalists sound off on ‘betrayal’
02:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
In what is being described as “Bloody Saturday,” over 1,300 employees at Voice of America were placed on indefinite suspension this weekend after President Donald Trump issued a Friday night edict ordering the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the network’s parent agency, to eliminate its workforce and activities not required by law.
With the state-funded broadcaster — which has been seen as a vital part of America’s soft diplomacy — going largely silent after more than 80 years on the air, VOA journalists and executives are sounding off over what they see as a “betrayal of the ideals” that drove the organization, adding that it will only be “celebrated” by America’s adversaries.
Justin Baragona reports.
Green card-holding German national arrested at Boston airport
01:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
The family of a German national who has been in the U.S. on a green card for 17 years and was arrested at Boston Logan International Airport has no idea why he is being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Fabian Schmidt joins a growing number of visa and green card holders in the U.S. who have found themselves swept up in the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown.
Rhian Lubin reports.
ANALYSIS: The economy was always Trump’s strength. Polls show it might be cracking
00:50
,
Oliver O'Connell
Eric Garcia takes a look at some of the latest polling numbers and what they might mean for the president.
If Trump is on a 'lawbreaking spree' as critics say, can the courts stop him?
00:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
Alex Woodward wrote in February:
President Donald Trump’s unprecedented power grabs within his first three weeks in office have provoked an opposite and equal reaction in the form of an avalanche of lawsuits.
Now, how far the president can plunge the United States into a constitutional crisis could depend on a handful of federal judges.
Americans should be prepared for the administration to ignore them, “unless and until there's real enforcement, either by law enforcement or by the Supreme Court,” says Ty Cobb, a former White House counsel during Trump’s first administration.
“The real question is, will Trump honor those orders?” Cobb tells The Independent.
Continue reading...
COMMENT: In the JFK files, there’ll be no smoking gun – only bombshells
00:05
,
Oliver O'Connell
John Kiriakou writes:
If all goes to plan, Donald Trump will oversee the release of the final remaining classified documents related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The US president ordered the release of all records on his second full day back in the White House, a demand that prompted the discovery of 2,400 hitherto overlooked files.
But the biggest mystery is why it has taken so long.
Congress mandated the documents’ declassification and release in 1992, and yet every president since George H. W. Bush has declined to do so.
However, as someone who has worked for the CIA as an intelligence officer – and who was jailed for 23 months for blowing the whistle on interrogation techniques – I would posit that there is nothing interesting about the JFK assassination left to be released.
Far more interesting will be the classified files about the assassinations of his brother, Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
Read on...
Elon Musk flexes his big-money election muscle in bid to turn Wisconsin Supreme Court conservative
Monday 17 March 2025 23:50
,
Oliver O'Connell
With continued influence over nearly every major government agency, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been granted extraordinary power over federal systems and programs which has the strong potential of directly boosting his bottom line.
Even as Tesla faces a nationwide public backlash, Musk is poised to weaken federal agencies with direct oversight of his companies and just last week capitalized on President Donald Trump’s promotion of his vehicles outside the White House.
He’s also making his gratitude known — and proving that it pays off.
John Bowden reports.
Courtney Love confirms plans to permanently relocate to the UK due to Trump presidency
Monday 17 March 2025 23:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
Courtney Love has revealed her plans to permanently relocate to the U.K. following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
The 60-year-old rocker and widow of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump, reportedly moved from Los Angeles to England in 2019 and is now getting British citizenship.
Inga Parkel reports.
Dan Bongino sworn in as deputy director of FBI
Monday 17 March 2025 23:00
,
Oliver O'Connell
It is an honor to serve as Deputy Director for the Federal Bureau of Investigation at such a critical time for our nation.
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) March 17, 2025
The American people deserve a justice system that is transparent, accountable, and committed to the rule of law.
My promise to you is that I will work… pic.twitter.com/SY5kSr58sl
Monday 17 March 2025 22:47
,
Oliver O'Connell
Jasmine Mooney has spoken out after she was arrested by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained her.
After spending 12 days in different facilities in the Southwest, the American Pie Presents: The Book of Love actor said in an interview with CTV News at the Vancouver International Airport on Saturday that she was “still processing” exactly what happened to her.
“I haven’t slept in a while and haven’t eaten proper food in a while, so I’m just really going through the motions,” she told the network.
Brittany Miller reports.
Conor McGregor joined by Elon Musk and Mark Burnett in Oval Office visit
Monday 17 March 2025 22:32
,
Oliver O'Connell
MMA fighter Conor McGregor and his family were joined in the Oval Office today by Elon Musk and Mark Burnett, the producer of The Apprentice TV show when they visited President Donald Trump today.
President Trump
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 17, 2025
@ElonMusk
@TheNotoriousMMA
@DeeDevlin1
Conor Jack Jr., Croía Mairéad, Rían, and Mack
@MarkBurnettTV
@WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/YRxAdRjwHT
No one could’ve imagined Milwaukee mother would be deported to Laos, former lawyer says
Monday 17 March 2025 22:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
A former lawyer for the Hmong-American woman who was brought to the United States at eight months old and lived in Milwaukee until she was deported 11 days ago to Laos says her expulsion came as a complete surprise.
Justin Rohrlich reports.
Trump scraps Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden
Monday 17 March 2025 22:16
,
Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump has withdrawn Secret Service protection from former President Joe Biden’s adult children, Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden.
The president wrote on Truth Social:
Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States Taxpayer. There are as many as 18 people on this Detail, which is ridiculous! He is currently vacationing in, of all places, South Africa, where the Human Rights of people has been strenuously questioned. Because of this, South Africa has been taken off our list of Countries receiving Economic and Financial Assistance. Please be advised that, effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection. Likewise, Ashley Biden who has 13 agents will be taken off the list.
Protection or the Biden children had previously been extended until July.
Trump calls April 2 'liberation day' as reciprocal tariffs loom
Monday 17 March 2025 22:05
,
Oliver O'Connell
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 17, 2025
Deportation flights hearing: Judge skeptical on 'loss of jurisdiction' argument
Monday 17 March 2025 21:50
,
Alex Woodward
Justice Department attorney Abhishek Kambli claims that the court “lost jurisdiction the moment” that the deportation flights were out of U.S. airspace.
“Once they are in international waters, the president has authority outside of the Alien Enemies Act that would not have been subject to the order,” he said.
The judge is extremely skeptical.
Trump names former airline CEO to run FAA
Monday 17 March 2025 21:47
,
Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump has nominated Bryan Bedford, a former airline CEO to run the Federal Aviation Administration.
The president wrote on Truth Social:
I am pleased to announce the nomination of Bryan Bedford to serve as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As the former President and CEO of Republic Airways, Mesaba Airlines, and Business Express Airlines, Brian brings over three decades of experience in Aviation and Executive Leadership to this critical position. Bryan will work with our GREAT Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to strongly reform the Agency, safeguard our exports, and ensure the safety of nearly one billion annual passenger movements. Congratulations Bryan!
Deportation flights judge says DOJ argument on oral order 'heckuva stretch'
Monday 17 March 2025 21:44
,
Oliver O'Connell
Judge Boasberg once again gets the Justice Department to confirm that they are arguing that because he didn't include every word of that language in the written order, they could simply ignore what he said over the weekend regarding the deportation flights of Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador.
The DOJ lawyer says that's what his client has instructed him to argue. Boasberg is incredulous and keeps pushing back.
“You’re telling me you felt you could disregard it because it wasn’t in the written order?”
The judge calls that argument a “heckuva stretch.”
Deportation flights hearing judge sets deadline for DOJ
Monday 17 March 2025 21:40
,
Oliver O'Connell
Judge James Boasberg has given the Justice Department until noon tomorrow to respond to a series of questions about the deportation flights and the Alien Enemies Act, including:
- How many planes carried people who were deported solely on the basis of that proclamation
- How many people in that category were on those planes
- Where did they go
- What time(s) did they leave
- What time(s) did they enter foreign airspace
- What time(s) did they land, and
- When were those deportees transferred to foreign custody
The DOJ has been trying to argue that these are all sensitive national security issues.
Judge Boasberg says: “If what you’re saying is it’s classified and you can’t tell me, then you’re going to need to make a good showing.”
Full story: French official calls for US to give back Statue of Liberty
Monday 17 March 2025 21:20
,
Oliver O'Connell
A French politician is requesting the U.S. return the Statue of Liberty in the wake of President Donald Trump’s policies that appear to side with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Raphaël Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament, made the remarks at a convention of the Place Publique center-left movement Sunday.
Michelle Del Rey has the story.
Watch: Trump says Kennedy Center honors will continue, promising 'big surprises'
Monday 17 March 2025 21:08
,
Oliver O'Connell
Trump on Kennedy Center Honors: We’re going to have honors.. Unless you were a radical left, nobody was chosen. A lot of people out there who can get the honors.. We have some surprises on that. Big surprises pic.twitter.com/Gn5iYRbqAo
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 17, 2025
Judge denies Trump admin's request to toss deportation case
Monday 17 March 2025 21:01
,
Oliver O'Connell
Chief Judge James E Boasberg denied the Trump administration’s motion to vacate the deportation case set for an imminent hearing in the D.C. District Court, only for them to file another motion to remove him from the case.
“The district court’s hasty public inquiry into these sensitive national security matters — with no contemplated protections against disclosure of operational details — underscores the urgency of immediate relief from this Court, including an immediate administrative stay that would allow further briefing to unfold in an orderly and appropriate manner and prevents the district court from further efforts to interfere with President Trump’s core Article II authorities, including the conduct of foreign policy.”
As Trump warns Iran on Houthis, warship used to fight them heads for southern border
Monday 17 March 2025 20:40
,
Oliver O'Connell
A Navy warship that had been used to fight Houthi rebels in the Middle East is being deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border to provide added security.
The USS Gravely, which was used in combat in the Middle East last year, will now be heading to the Mexico border, Defense Department officials announced over the weekend, the same day the vessel departed the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in Virginia.
Michelle Del Rey reports.
