Trump’s Migrant Deportation Policy Faces Court Test as Protests Erupt Over Federal Cuts and Elon Musk’s Role

President Donald Trump’s immigration policy faces a critical legal test today as a federal appeals panel hears arguments over the administration’s use of the rarely invoked Alien Enemies Act to deport five Venezuelan migrants. This comes just one day after the White House reached a new agreement with Venezuela to allow deportations back to the country.

The courtroom battle is just one piece of a much larger political firestorm surrounding the administration. Over the weekend, protests erupted nationwide, targeting the president’s cuts to the federal workforce, rising prices tied to tariffs, and the growing influence of Elon Musk, who now heads the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk, although not an official cabinet member, played a central role in President Trump’s third cabinet meeting—held behind closed doors. Cameras were allowed in briefly as Trump touted “tremendous numbers” and praised the progress being made. Several cabinet secretaries followed suit, crediting Musk with eliminating redundancies and streamlining operations.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. said, “With Elon’s help we’re eliminating redundancies. They’re streamlining our department.”

Still, Musk’s aggressive government overhaul strategy has faced multiple legal hurdles. Today, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to block a lower court ruling that would force the reinstatement of thousands of probationary federal employees terminated by DOGE. Federal Judge James Boasburg’s decision to grant deported Venezuelan migrants the chance to challenge alleged gang ties sparked a fresh wave of criticism from the White House, with some administration figures, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, calling for his impeachment.

“This is an out-of-control judge trying to control our entire foreign policy,” Bondi said. However, GOP Senator John Curtis acknowledged that removing the judge through impeachment is unlikely: “It takes two-thirds of the Senate to impeach. We know that’s not going to happen.”

Meanwhile, members of Congress are returning to Washington following a tense recess, marked by contentious town halls and rising public unrest over changes to the Postal Service, tariff-driven price hikes, and what some view as unchecked billionaire influence within the federal government.

Adding to the scrutiny, the White House is now under fire after reports surfaced that the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine was added to a secure messaging app that included Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other top officials discussing sensitive national security matters. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz reportedly added the journalist to the thread. The National Security Council has launched a review.

For the latest developments, tune in to NBC Nightly News.

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