The White House is standing firm after a federal judge tried to stop deportation flights to El Salvador. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the judge’s order “unlawful” and said it came too late. The flights had already left U.S. airspace, carrying illegal immigrants accused of serious crimes like kidnapping and child abuse.
Leavitt defended President Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a law that lets the government remove foreign threats without hearings. She said the move protects Americans from dangerous gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13. El Salvador’s president mocked the judge’s order online, sharing videos of authorities arresting the deportees.
This isn’t the first time Leavitt has clashed with the courts. Earlier this year, a judge cited her social media posts while ruling against Trump’s funding freezes. Conservatives argue activist judges are undermining border security. Leavitt says the administration won’t let “one judge in one city” block policies voters demanded.
Leavitt also made headlines for skipping the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. She called the event a “joke” and said mainstream media can’t be trusted. Under her leadership, the White House has barred outlets like the Associated Press from press pools. Instead, conservative platforms like Newsmax get prime access to share Trump’s America First message.
The press secretary has pushed major changes in her first months. She’s letting influencers and podcasters apply for press credentials, saying legacy media doesn’t represent most Americans. At briefings, she aggressively fact-checks reporters who criticize Trump. Supporters say she’s finally bringing fairness to a biased press corps.
So far, the administration has deported over 250 illegal immigrants under the Alien Enemies Act. Leavitt says every removal makes communities safer. Critics claim Trump is abusing presidential power, but polls show voters back his tough stance. With border crossings down 60%, many believe the policy is working.
Democrats and liberal journalists have slammed Leavitt’s approach. They accuse her of spreading misinformation and attacking press freedom. But conservatives praise her for cutting through “fake news” and putting Americans first. As the youngest press secretary ever, she’s become a fiery voice for Trump’s comeback agenda.
The battle over deportations shows Trump’s team won’t back down. Leavitt’s blunt style energizes the base, even as legal challenges mount. With the 2026 midterms approaching, Republicans see immigration as a winning issue. For now, the White House vows to keep defending sovereignty – no matter what the courts say.
