Tensions Flare as Karoline Leavitt Delivers Subtle Blow to Amy Coney Barrett After Narrow Supreme Court Ruling on Deportation Flights

In a political moment loaded with subtle jabs and overt celebration, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the nation with a layered message following the Supreme Court’s narrow 5-4 ruling in favor of resuming deportation flights to El Salvador — a decision that some viewed as a victory for Trump’s immigration policy. Though she praised the ruling as a “massive legal victory,” Leavitt’s words carried a distinct undercurrent of disapproval toward one conservative justice in particular.

Without naming her outright, Leavitt’s critique appeared to target Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who unexpectedly aligned with the court’s liberal justices. Her vote allowed a temporary legal block on deportations to remain in place until now. Leavitt made clear that such divergence from Trump-aligned rulings was disappointing, saying, “We wish this was a 9-0 decision.”

“This wasn’t just a legal fight,” Leavitt continued. “It was about reclaiming authority from activist judges who’ve long undermined the president’s power as commander-in-chief.”

She went on to harshly criticize Judge James Boasberg, the lower court judge whose prior ruling halted the deportations. Leavitt described him as a “low-level district judge with a political agenda” and accused him of overstepping his judicial bounds. In her view, the Supreme Court’s decision was a corrective measure — a message that the executive branch still holds its rightful constitutional powers, especially under the Alien Enemies Act, which the administration invoked to justify the deportations.

Although Leavitt painted the ruling as a full-throated endorsement of Trump’s authority, the justices also included a requirement that any detainee labeled a gang member must have the opportunity to seek court review before being deported — a stipulation that tempers the administration’s win, though it was barely mentioned in Leavitt’s triumphant remarks.