Former President Donald Trump has reportedly blocked a joint Israeli-American strike on Iran, derailing a high-stakes military operation just as strategic coordination was being finalized. The sudden move comes amid escalating legal trouble for Trump’s administration, as a federal judge issues a harsh rebuke over a separate immigration case.
Judge James Boasberg has accused the Trump administration of willfully defying a court order that halted deportations to El Salvador. Despite the ruling, several individuals were deported and are now reportedly held in one of the country’s most violent prisons. In a strongly worded 46-page opinion, Judge Boasberg declared that the administration’s actions show a “willful disregard” for the judiciary’s authority.
“The Constitution does not tolerate willful disobedience of judicial orders — especially by officials of a coordinate branch who have sworn an oath to uphold it,” Boasberg wrote. He further warned that such conduct risks turning constitutional governance into a “solemn mockery.”
The judge found probable cause to charge the government with contempt and has given the administration a final opportunity to rectify the situation. If they fail to do so, the court will identify the responsible parties and refer them for prosecution.
Meanwhile, journalist Maggie Haberman emphasized that Trump and his allies are embracing the legal confrontation. “They want this fight,” she said in an interview with CNN, suggesting that the administration is betting on favorable treatment from the conservative-leaning Supreme Court.
The former president’s team believes that public opinion is in their favor, particularly on issues like immigration enforcement, and sees this legal battle as a strategic pivot away from economic concerns such as tariffs and slowing market confidence.