Even in Deporting Illegal Gang Members, the Rule of Law Must Be Respected
Elon Musk is venturing beyond his role by supporting an impeachment effort against federal Judge James Boasberg, who has placed a temporary pause on the deportation flights of illegal migrant gang members.
The concept of these flights is commendable: Gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13 have operated with relative impunity for far too long, and the current measures aimed at rectifying this situation are necessary adjustments to the previous administration’s complacency.
President Donald Trump’s executive orders designating several gangs as terrorist organizations are grounded in the gangs’ aggressive tactics and motives: They are extraordinarily brutal in their efforts to seize territory within the U.S., from Long Island to Colorado and beyond.
Merely deporting these individuals has not proven sufficient — numerous members have managed to re-enter the country multiple times, and although Trump has curtailed the mass illegal border crossings seen during Biden’s tenure, these gangs possess the resources and sophistication to continue infiltrating.
Once inside, they can easily blend in with the 10 million illegal migrants admitted over the past four years; they are further protected by the left’s “sanctuary” laws and pro-immigration advocacy networks.
However, it is crucial that the rule of law prevails: As justification for its actions, Team Trump references the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act, a law originally crafted for wartime contexts that has historically been invoked only during wars officially declared by Congress.
The “war” referenced here is simply Trump’s presidential declaration that TdA is invading the nation; contesting this in court is entirely valid, as is the judge’s decision to impose a delay on new flights until he can review the case arguments.
It’s worth noting that the administration did not violate Boasberg’s order by allowing the initial two flights to land in Honduras and El Salvador: Although the judge suggested in court he might want to recall the planes, his final written order did not include that instruction.
Regardless of Boasberg’s eventual ruling, the case is likely headed to the Supreme Court. Can federal authorities simply label anyone as a TdA member before sending them off to an El Salvadoran prison?
This makes Musk’s tweet about a Texas representative’s plan to impeach the judge seem rather absurd: It’s not “necessary,” and endorsing it only enhances Musk’s image as reckless — a reputation he doesn’t need, especially with several DOGE actions facing legal scrutiny.
Let’s be clear: The Biden administration took years to entangle the nation in this predicament (expanding upon previous Obama-era mistakes as well); the Trump administration cannot possibly resolve everything overnight.
The country requires the courts to clarify numerous legal issues regarding everything from the alleged rights of illegal migrants to local responsibilities in cooperating with federal law enforcement.
Trump successfully halted the crisis at the border in his early days in office; reversing all of the damage inflicted during the Biden administration will undoubtedly take significantly longer.
And achieving this while honoring the rule of law is truly essential.
