U.S. officials defended their decision to deploy extraordinary wartime powers to deport 137 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last weekend, despite a federal judge’s temporary block and Venezuelan authorities denying that the individuals were affiliated with criminal gangs.
Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on "Sunday Morning Futures," “It's modern-day warfare, and we are going to continue to fight that and protect American citizens every single step of the way.” Bondi maintained that the deportations were warranted because the migrants were allegedly members of Venezuela’s feared Tren de Aragua gang and posed a safety risk by engaging in violent criminal activities and transferring funds back to Venezuela.
However, Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello countered the claim on Friday, asserting that none of the deported individuals were gang members. Relatives of the deportees and immigration advocates have similarly denied any links to the group, which Washington has designated as a terrorist organization.
The Trump administration justified its actions by invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law, arguing that the migrants’ conduct merited the use of such measures. White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation," asserted without presenting direct evidence that Tren de Aragua is operating as a proxy for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. “The alien sedition act fully applies because we have also determined that this group is acting as a proxy of the Maduro regime,” Waltz said, adding that Maduro is allegedly emptying his prisons in a proxy manner to incite actions against the United States.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who has temporarily blocked the use of the law for these deportations, said on Friday that he would continue to examine whether the administration’s actions violated his order. The Trump administration now faces a March 25 deadline to respond to the judge’s request for further details on the deportations, following the administration’s failure to process two flights carrying the Venezuelans as ordered.
Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, told ABC News’ "This Week" that while he would not defy Judge Boasberg's order, the administration would persist in targeting migrants it deems dangerous. “We're going to continue to arrest public safety threats and national security threats,” Homan stated, emphasizing that the focus remains on apprehending “the worst of the worst.”
Bondi also lashed out against Judge Boasberg for what she described as overreach into the administration's foreign policy. “This is an out-of-control judge, a federal judge trying to control our entire foreign policy,” she said. Bondi further accused other federal judges of obstructing the president’s policies and called for their recusal from related cases.
Legal scholars warn that the dispute may signal an escalation in President Donald Trump’s confrontation with the judiciary, potentially setting the stage for a broader constitutional crisis. As the legal and political battles unfold, both sides remain entrenched, with the administration steadfast in its approach to using wartime powers to safeguard American security.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced Thursday that more than 50 individuals have been arrested in connection with an alleged plot to sabotage the country’s regional and parliamentary elections scheduled for Sunday, May 25.
Venezuela's economy saw a year-over-year growth of 9.3% in the first quarter of 2025, according to the country's central bank. This marks a slight increase compared to the 9.1% growth rate recorded in the same period last year.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order early Saturday blocking the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members from Texas under the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law from 1798.
Azerbaijan and Venezuela have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, following high-level talks on economic, political, and multilateral cooperation at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
Dozens of Venezuelan migrants have been repatriated from the U.S. under a bilateral agreement with Caracas.
Landslides and flash floods caused by days of heavy monsoon rain have killed at least 22 people in India’s northeast, officials said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Saturday that the border conflict with Thailand “must be resolved with patience and through legal and diplomatic channels.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke by phone with IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi, warning that any political actions against Iran at next week’s Board of Governors meeting would have consequences.
Türkiye expressed deep sorrow Saturday over the devastating floods in Nigeria’s Niger State, which have claimed over 150 lives.
A bridge collapse in the Vygonichsky district of Russia’s Bryansk region, near the Ukrainian border, caused a train derailment and a traffic accident early Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 30 injured, according to emergency services.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
An international academic conference titled "Islamophobia: Exposing Prejudice and Destroying Stigma" has officially opened in the capital of Azerbaijan, bringing together global scholars, experts, and policymakers to address the rise and consequences of anti-Muslim discrimination.
Türkiye’s first floating natural gas production platform, Osman Gazi, reached Filyos Port in Zonguldak on May 31.
Authorities in Whatcom County, Washington, issued a warning Friday after a truck carrying honey bee hives overturned near the Canadian border, initially prompting fears that millions of bees had been released.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Washington next week to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.
Landslides and flash floods caused by days of heavy monsoon rain have killed at least 22 people in India’s northeast, officials said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Saturday that the border conflict with Thailand “must be resolved with patience and through legal and diplomatic channels.”
Landslides and flash floods caused by days of heavy monsoon rain have killed at least 22 people in India’s northeast, officials said.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Saturday that the border conflict with Thailand “must be resolved with patience and through legal and diplomatic channels.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke by phone with IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi, warning that any political actions against Iran at next week’s Board of Governors meeting would have consequences.
Türkiye expressed deep sorrow Saturday over the devastating floods in Nigeria’s Niger State, which have claimed over 150 lives.
A bridge collapse in the Vygonichsky district of Russia’s Bryansk region, near the Ukrainian border, caused a train derailment and a traffic accident early Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 30 injured, according to emergency services.
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