Trump Assails Judge Who Blocked Deportations As The Case Heads To Appeal

President Donald Trump on Monday questioned the impartiality of the federal judge who blocked his plans to deport Venezuelan immigrants to El Salvador , levelling his criticism only hours before his administration will ask an appeals court to lift the judge's order.

Just after midnight, President Donald Trump posted a social media message calling for Chief Judge James Boasberg to be disbarred. Trump reposted an article about Boasberg's attendance at a legal conference that purportedly featured "anti-Trump speakers."

The judge, meanwhile, refused Monday to throw out his original order before an appeals court hearing for the case. Boasberg ruled that the immigrants facing deportation must get an opportunity to challenge their designations as alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang. He said there is "a strong public interest in preventing the mistaken deportation of people based on categories they have no right to challenge."

"The public also has a significant stake in the Government's compliance with the law," the judge wrote .

Boasberg didn't immediately decide what form a challenge should take.