The Trump admin is embattled in the courtrooms. They have a saving grace.
As a top lawyer just gave President Trump critical advice ahead of a huge SCOTUS showdown.
Top Legal Professor Says Trump Admin Has Upper-Hand In Deportation Cases In Court
President Donald Trump is taking a fearless stand against the scourge of gang violence, wielding his executive authority to redefine the battle lines in America’s war on crime. On Thursday, federal prosecutors, under Trump’s guidance, leveled unprecedented terrorism charges against Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, a reputed high-ranking leader of the Tren de Agua (TdA) gang. This marks a historic first for the administration, signaling a no-nonsense approach to dismantling criminal networks that have plagued American communities. By classifying TdA as a terrorist organization, Trump is empowering law enforcement to strike at the heart of these groups with unmatched legal force.
George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley, a respected voice in legal circles, weighed in on the move, affirming Trump’s authority to shape the definition of terrorism. “Some courts may say ‘look, this looks like drug dealing to me, the things that you are citing. But the president is allowed a fair amount of discretion in defining what constitutes terrorism,” Turley said. This discretion is a critical tool for Trump, enabling him to bypass judicial pushback from courts that might otherwise downplay the severity of gang activities by labeling them mere drug offenses.
The significance of Trump’s strategy cannot be overstated. By designating TdA and MS-13 as terrorist organizations in a January 20 executive order, the president has unlocked a range of legal mechanisms to expedite the removal of dangerous individuals from U.S. soil. This approach sidesteps the bureaucratic delays that have long frustrated deportation efforts. Turley explained, “President Trump has declared TdA, also MS-13, to be terrorist organizations which gives him the enhanced ability legally on a number of different fronts, including the ability to remove people out of the country without some of the usual delays.”
A prime example of this strategy in action is the case of MS-13 member Kilmar Abrego Garcia. After losing a deportation hearing and subsequent appeal, Garcia clung to a “withholding order” from 2019 that stalled his removal. Trump’s administration, however, argued that the terrorist designation of MS-13 rendered such orders obsolete. “What the administration has said is once we declared MS-13 to be a terrorist organization, he was no longer eligible for that type of order. And that’s an example of how switching over to a terrorist designation can change the dynamic in these cases,” Turley noted. This decisive action showcases Trump’s commitment to cutting through red tape to protect American citizens.
The Department of Justice (DOJ), led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, is charging Flores with serious offenses, including providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and international drug distribution involving cocaine destined for U.S. streets. These charges carry a potential life sentence and a $10 million fine, sending a clear message that the Trump administration will not tolerate the destruction wrought by gangs like TdA. Bondi minced no words in her assessment: “TdA is not a street gang – it is a highly structured terrorist organization that put down roots in our country during the prior administration.”
Bondi’s statement points to a broader truth about the challenges Trump inherited. For years, lax policies allowed groups like TdA to infiltrate communities, spreading violence and addiction. The current administration’s aggressive stance marks a sharp departure from the past, prioritizing the safety of American families over political correctness. By framing TdA as a terrorist entity, Trump is not only targeting its leaders but also dismantling the infrastructure that sustains their operations, from drug trafficking to extortion.
The terrorism designation also has practical implications for law enforcement. It equips federal agencies with enhanced tools to disrupt gang activities, including the ability to freeze assets, intercept communications, and coordinate with international partners. This holistic approach is crucial for tackling organizations like TdA, which operate across borders and exploit legal loopholes. Trump’s foresight in leveraging these powers demonstrates a keen understanding of the evolving nature of crime in the 21st century.
Critics may argue that labeling gang activities as terrorism stretches the term too far, but supporters of Trump’s policy see it as a necessary evolution. Gangs like TdA and MS-13 don’t just commit crimes; they terrorize entire neighborhoods, sowing fear and destabilizing communities. By treating them as terrorists, Trump is acknowledging the profound impact of their actions and giving law enforcement the authority to match the threat. Turley’s analysis reinforces this view, noting that the president’s discretion allows for a more flexible and effective response to complex criminal networks.
The charges against Flores represent a turning point, as Bondi described: “Today’s charges represent an inflection point in how this Department of Justice will prosecute and ultimately dismantle this evil organization, which has destroyed American families and poisoned our communities.” This is not just about one man or one gang; it’s about sending a resounding message that the United States, under Trump’s leadership, will not be a safe haven for those who prey on its citizens. The administration’s resolve is clear: no mercy for those who bring chaos to America’s doorstep.
Trump’s DOJ Unleashes Fury on Tren de Aragua’s Terror Network
President Trump’s Justice Department charged Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, a 24-year-old alleged kingpin, with drug trafficking and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. The indictment, filed in a Texas federal court, paints Martinez Flores as a core member of TdA’s “inner circle,” orchestrating the gang’s sprawling international cocaine empire.
The Trump administration’s aggressive use of terrorism laws—typically aimed at groups like al-Qaida or ISIS—signals a no-holds-barred approach to crushing TdA’s operations. By labeling the gang a terrorist organization, prosecutors can now deploy potent legal weapons to target anyone tied to its activities, from drug smuggling to cross-border violence. This move comes hot on the heels of another historic step: the first federal racketeering case against TdA, a tactic that once brought down Mafia empires.
Attorney General Pam Bondi minced no words, declaring, “This is not just a street gang – TdA is a highly structured terrorist organization that put down roots in our country during the prior administration. Today’s charges represent an inflection point in how this Department of Justice will prosecute and ultimately dismantle this evil organization, which has destroyed American families and poisoned our communities.”
The crackdown aligns with Trump’s campaign pledge to secure the border and deport dangerous criminals. Mike LaSusa of InSight Crime told Newsweek, “This all comes in the context of Trump fulfilling his promise to carry out mass deportations, right? He’s been promising that throughout his campaign, and he’s come into office, and he’s started to try to deliver on that promise. The Venezuelan migrants in the United States are a very vulnerable group. It’s quite, quite easy to associate them with this gang, even though there may not be evidence of that association in many cases or solid evidence of that association.”
Martinez Flores, currently detained in Colombia and awaiting extradition, faces a potential life sentence if convicted. Under Trump’s leadership, the Justice Department is sending a clear message: TdA’s reign of terror will meet an unrelenting response.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
