Latest news with #U.S.DistrictCourt
Boston Globe
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Migrant sent to El Salvador prison by the Trump administration says he was beaten by guards
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Homeland Security said in an email that Rengel was a 'confirmed associate' of the Tren de Aragua gang — though it did not specify how it reached that conclusion — who had entered the country illegally. It called his claims a fake 'sob story.' Advertisement 'President Trump and Secretary Noem will not allow foreign terrorist enemies to operate in our country and endanger Americans,' the email said. It added, 'We hear far too much about gang members and criminals' false sob stories and not enough about their victims.' Advertisement At El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, Rengel said guards hit him with fists and batons and, on one occasion, viciously beat him after taking him to an area of the prison without cameras. Rengel was sent to Venezuela earlier this month They are seeking compensation for emotional and psychological injuries. A federal judge ruled in June that the Trump administration must give some of the migrants sent to the prison in El Salvador a chance to challenge their deportations. U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg said the people hadn't been able to formally contest the removals or allegations that they were members of Tren de Aragua. He ordered the administration to work toward giving them a way to file those challenges. The judge wrote that 'significant evidence' had surfaced indicating that many of the migrants were not connected to the gang 'and thus were languishing in a foreign prison on flimsy, even frivolous, accusations.' At a hearing on Thursday, an attorney for the Trump administration told Boasberg it would not immediately bring the migrants sent from El Salvador to Venezuela as part of the prisoner exchange back to the U.S. Trump officials planned to await the outcome of other court cases before deciding whether to allow the migrants to return, U.S. Department of Justice attorney Tiberius Davis said. Boasberg had ordered the administration to turn planes carrying the accused gang members around, but the demand was ignored. Rengel's attorneys say he was on one of those planes. Advertisement The judge has found probable cause that the administration committed contempt of court. Boasberg said Thursday he planned to expand his contempt probe to include a recent whistleblower complaint that claims a top Justice Department official suggested the Trump administration might have to ignore court orders as it prepared to deport Venezuelan migrants it accused of being gang members.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Former Trump lawyer Alina Habba to remain New Jersey prosecutor despite court decision
Her tenure thus far has been marked by partisan statements and bringing cases against Democrats. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Alina Habba, said on Thursday that she would seek to remain as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey despite a judicial decision this week not to extend her appointment. Habba's statement marked the latest challenge by the Trump administration to oversight by federal courts. Habba, who has no previous experience as a prosecutor, wrote on X that she was now the acting U.S. attorney in New Jersey. The Justice Department used a series of procedural maneuvers to attempt to circumvent the Tuesday decision by the U.S. District Court in New Jersey and keep her in the post, a department spokesperson told Reuters. "I don't cower to pressure," Habba wrote on X. "I don't answer to politics." Judges on the U.S. District Court in New Jersey declined to extend Habba's tenure as interim U.S. attorney, instead naming the second-highest ranking official in the office, Desiree Grace, as her replacement. But hours later Attorney General Pam Bondi said Grace had been removed, accusing the judges of having political motivations and seeking to thwart Trump's authority. U.S. law allows federal district courts to intervene if an interim U.S. attorney's 120-day term expires and courts have regularly invoked that authority. Grace, in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, said she was 'prepared to follow' the court's order and 'begin to serve in accordance with the law.' It was not immediately clear if either Grace or the District Court judges would attempt to challenge the maneuvers. Neither could immediately be reached for comment. Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, in Virginia, said the Trump administration appeared to have the legal authority for its moves, but they could further strain its relationship with federal courts. "It does undermine that authority from Congress," Tobias said, referring to courts' role in the process. "But that doesn't trouble this White House or this Justice Department." The judiciary has emerged as one of the few checks on Trump's aggressive use of presidential power in his second term. White House officials have accused judges who have blocked parts of Trump's agenda they have deemed unlawful of exceeding their authority and taking part in a 'judicial coup.' Habba has brought two criminal cases against Democratic officials during her time in office and drew criticism after saying she hoped to use her role to aid Republicans in New Jersey.
New York Post
7 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh can represent himself at trial, federal judge rules
The man charged with trying to assassinate President Donald Trump at one of his Florida golf courses last year was given clearance by a federal judge Thursday to represent himself in his upcoming trial. Ryan Routh appeared in front of U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon in Fort Pierce a day after his court-appointed attorneys asked to be removed from the case. However, Cannon ruled that Routh's attorneys must remain on standby and denied their request to be withdrawn. Prior to allowing Routh to represent himself, Cannon told him that his court-appointed attorneys 'will defend you far better than you can defend yourself' and 'I strongly urge you not to make this decision.' 'These are nice ladies… How [can] they defend me and say I'm not a dangerous person if they're afraid of me?' Routh said at one point. 'They don't appreciate me and they're afraid of me.' The attorneys described Routh's claims as untrue. The 59-year-old was wearing beige jail scrubs and appeared disheveled during the court appearance, during which he was taking notes despite being shackled at the wrists. 6 Ryan Routh was given clearance by a federal judge Thursday to represent himself in his upcoming trial. X/Ryan_wesleyrouth 'Mr. Routh has now refused six attempts from members of our office/the defense team to meet with Mr. Routh. As a result, undersigned counsel submits that the attorney-client relationship is irreconcilably broken. It is clear that Mr. Routh wishes to represent himself, and he is within his Constitutional rights to make such a demand,' the lawyers wrote in a filing late Wednesday night. The lawyers added that they went to speak with Routh on Tuesday at the Federal Detention Center in Miami, but were informed that Routh didn't want to meet with them. Routh is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations for the Sept. 15, 2024, incident in Florida, the second attempted assassination plot against Trump in a matter of months. 6 Ryan Routh was pictured following his arrest in Martin County, Florida, on September 15. MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE/AFP via Getty Images 6 The photo shows a sniper's nest that Routh made, according to reports. US District Court Southern Florida 6 Routh is charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump, assaulting a federal officer, and multiple firearms violations for the Sept. 15, 2024, incident in Florida. Martin County Sheriff's Office He has pleaded not guilty. Fox News Digital reported earlier this month that Routh wrote an unusual letter to the judge asking why the death penalty isn't on the table — and proposing that he be included in a prisoner swap with U.S. adversaries, even suggesting he be sent to freeze in Siberia in exchange for a Ukrainian soldier. 'Why is the death penalty not allowed? At nearly 60, a life of nothingness without love — what is the point? Why is it not all or nothing?' Routh wrote in the letter on the case docket. 6 Routh's assassination attempt was the second attempt on Donald Trump's life. Getty Images 'I had wished for a prisoner swap with Hamas, Iran… or China for Jimmy Lai or one of the 40 others, or to freeze to death in Siberia in exchange for a Ukrainian soldier… so I could die being of some use and save all this court mess.' He then sarcastically adds that the judge could send him away, which would give Trump a symbolic win. 'Perhaps you [Judge Cannon] have the power to trade me away… An easy diplomatic victory for Trump to give an American he hates to China, Iran, or North Korea… everyone wins.' 6 Prior to allowing Routh (pictured) to represent himself, U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon told him that his court-appointed attorneys 'will defend you far better than you can defend yourself' and 'I strongly urge you not to make this decision.' Routh blasted his legal team, accusing them of ignoring his questions, refusing to write to him, and undermining him. 'It was ridiculous from the outset to consider a random stranger that knows nothing of who I am to speak for me… I will be representing myself moving forward,' Routh wrote. 'They do not want the case and I no longer want to listen to how horrible a person I am — I can beat my own self up; I do not need help.' 'Best I walk alone.'
The Hill
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Federal judge tosses Trump administration effort to end union rights for federal workers
A Trump-appointed federal judge tossed a suit brought by the administration in a preemptive move to strip collective bargaining rights from federal employees. The Trump administration brought the suit in the one-judge district in Texas shortly after signing an order seeking to end union rights at 18 different federal agencies. The suit sought a declaratory judgment from a Waco court that the White House has 'the power to rescind or repudiate' collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) across numerous agencies. But U.S. District Court Judge Alan Albright declined to do so, siding with unions in determining that the plaintiff agencies did not have standing to bring the suit and dismissing the suit. 'Plaintiffs ask this Court to do something it should not and cannot do: issue a declaratory judgment pre-approving the acts of executive agencies absent a legally cognizable injury-in-fact,' Albright wrote in the Wednesday ruling. 'This Court is unable to identify a single instance in which a federal court has exercised jurisdiction over agencies seeking a pre-enforcement declaratory judgment approving their desired future course of conduct.' Albright further wrote that doing so 'could open a Pandora's Box of encouraging the Executive Branch to seek the Judiciary's blessing for every Executive Order prior to implementation.' The move is a blow to the Trump administration, which sought Albright's blessing in a bid to terminate a number of existing collective bargaining agreements signed with unions. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the nation's largest federal employee union, had been highly critical of Trump's move to end bargaining rights at the 18 agencies. Framed as a national security measure, the executive order from Trump sought to end unions rights at a wide range of agencies, including those not traditionally thought to have a national security role. A White House fact sheet at the time said the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 allowing government workers to unionize 'enables hostile Federal unions to obstruct agency management.' AFGE had condemned the action in an email to its members, saying the Trump administration was 'illegally strip[ping] collective bargaining rights from hundreds of thousands of federal workers. 'Let's be clear. National security is not the reason for this action. This is retaliation because our union is standing up for AFGE members—and a warning to every union: fall in line, or else.'
Hamilton Spectator
14 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
The Latest: Trump to visit Federal Reserve as feud with its chair continues
President Donald Trump is visiting the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington on Thursday, a week after indicating that Fed chair Jerome Powell's handling of an extensive renovation project on two Fed buildings could be grounds for firing. Trump has criticized Powell for months because the chair has kept the short-term interest rate the Fed controls at 4.3% this year after cutting it three times last year. Powell says the Fed wants to see how the economy responds to Trump's sweeping tariffs on imports, which Powell says could push up inflation. Powell's caution has infuriated Trump, who's demanded the Fed cut borrowing costs to spur the economy and reduce the interest rates the federal government pays on its debt. He's threatened to fire Powell, threatening the Fed's independence, which has long been supported by most economists and Wall Street investors. The Fed has been renovating its Washington headquarters and a neighboring building. With some of the construction occurring underground and as building materials have soared in price after inflation spiked in 2021 and 2022, the estimated cost has ballooned to about $2.5 billion from $1.9 billion. Here's the latest: Trump's trip to Scotland highlights his complex relationship with his mother's homeland President Trump's trip to Scotland this week will be a homecoming of sorts, but he's likely to get a mixed reception. Trump has had a long and at times rocky relationship with the country where his mother grew up in a humble house on a windswept isle. He'll be met by both political leaders and protesters during the visit, which begins Friday and takes in his two Scottish golf resorts . It comes two months before King Charles III is due to welcome him on a formal state visit to the U.K. 'I'm not proud that he (has) Scottish heritage,' said Patricia Sloan, who says she stopped visiting the Turnberry resort on Scotland's west coast after Trump bought it in 2014. 'All countries have good and bad that come out of them, and if he's going to kind of wave the flag of having Scottish heritage, that's the bad part, I think.' ▶ Read more about Trump's relationship with Scotland Trump's schedule, according to the White House 3 p.m. ET — Trump will sign executive orders 4 p.m. — Trump will visit the Federal Reserve Man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump returns to court and hopes to represent himself The man charged with attempting to assassinate Trump last year at his Florida golf course will return to court Thursday to once again explain why he wants to fire his court-appointed lawyers and represent himself. Ryan Routh previously made the request earlier this month during a hearing in Fort Pierce before U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon. She didn't rule during the hearing but said she would issue a written order later. But now Routh, 59, is set to be back in front of Cannon, a day after his court-appointed federal public defenders asked to be taken off the case. Routh is scheduled to stand trial in September, a year after prosecutors say a U.S. Secret Service agent thwarted his attempt to shoot Trump as he played golf. Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate , assaulting a federal officer and several firearm violations. ▶ Read more about the assassination attempt case Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
