A federal judge compared the Trump administration’s deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members to how Nazis were treated during World War II, sparking fierce backlash from conservatives. The judge claimed Nazis received better due process under the Alien Enemies Act than the Venezuelans deported last week. This comment was slammed as offensive and out of touch with the threats facing American communities.
The Trump administration used the Alien Enemies Act to deport over 200 Venezuelans accused of ties to the Tren de Aragua gang. Officials called the gang a “hybrid criminal state” invading the U.S., justifying the swift action. Critics, including the judge, argued the deportations lacked proper hearings, but the administration insists the move was lawful and necessary for national security.
Border czar Tom Homan fired back, calling the judge’s Nazi comparison “despicable.” He stressed that victims of illegal immigrant crime, like Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray, never got “due process” either. Homan emphasized that the administration prioritizes American safety over bureaucratic delays, citing ICE’s thorough investigations into gang ties.
The legal battle centers on whether the Alien Enemies Act—a wartime law—can target gangs instead of foreign nations. The Trump team argues the judiciary shouldn’t second-guess the president’s national security decisions. Democrats and activist judges, however, are accused of hampering efforts to remove dangerous criminals.
ICE officials admitted many deported Venezuelans had no U.S. criminal records but defended the action by citing risks posed by gang affiliations. They claimed tattoos and covert evidence linked the individuals to Tren de Aragua, a group they labeled terrorists. Homan assured the public that “everyone” on the flights was a verified gang member.
Conservatives argue the real injustice is the leniency shown to illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes. They point to cases like a child rapist released on $500 bail in Massachusetts, blaming sanctuary policies for endangering communities. The Trump administration vows to continue deporting threats swiftly, despite legal challenges.
The judge’s order temporarily blocking further deportations is seen by many as judicial overreach. Trump officials invoked “state secrets” to withhold flight details, stressing the need to protect national security. This standoff highlights the tension between presidential authority and activist courts undermining border enforcement.
Ultimately, the administration remains steadfast in using every tool to combat the border crisis. Homan and others argue that weak immigration policies under previous leaders allowed gangs to flourish. For conservatives, the focus remains on victims of illegal immigrant crime—not the loopholes exploited by those here unlawfully.
