White House accuses "hostile Maduro regime" of orchestrating Tren de Aragua infiltration into the U.S.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt claimed that the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua (TDA) had been "sent" to the United States "by the hostile Maduro regime in Venezuela." The gang was designated as a terrorist organization by the Administration, which then invoked the Foreign Enemies Act to expel its members.

Leavitt took aim at President Nicolas Maduro in response to a question about the president's authority to use that 1798 law. "Under this act, it is within the president's authority to deport these terrorists," she spat, adding that those who oppose it "should talk to the families of the individuals who these heinous monsters have killed and have raped."

In another press conference on the same Tuesday, Tammy Bruce, the State Department spokeswoman, emphasized this relationship: "TDA is closely associated – closely aligned with, and indeed has infiltrated the Maduro regime." Bruce also insisted that the Venezuelan government should "accept back all Venezuelan aliens deported by the United States, especially their murderers, rapists, criminals, human traffickers, and other illegally present criminals."

The spokeswoman's words against the Chavista regime come a day after Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, threatened with new sanctions if Caracas continued to refuse to accept flights of deportees. Maduro then ordered increased repatriation flights for illegal Venezuelans.

The Administration also took aim at Maduro by ordering the FBI to redouble its efforts to investigate the Cartel of the Suns. U.S. authorities believe the Venezuelan president "helped manage and ultimately lead" that criminal gang, "comprised of high-ranking Venezuelan officials." The bureau was also ordered to investigate anyone having "dirty business" with the dictator.

Clash with Justice

The use of the Alien Enemies Act, used so far only three times and in wartime, produced tensions with the Judiciary, after Washington federal magistrate James Boasberg ordered to block deportations while analyzing the rule. Trump lashed out at Boasberg, calling for his dismissal, which was met with a rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts.

In his press conference, Leavitt questioned Boasberg for attempting to "usurp the authority of the executive branch of this country" and accused several justices of trying to "slow roll this president's agenda."