**Republican Lawmaker Clashes with CNN Host Over Judge Halting Deportation Flights: "I Never Understand Why CNN Takes the Side of a Bunch of Murderers"**
In a fiery on-air exchange on CNN, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) sparred with CNN host John Berman over a federal judge’s decision to block deportation flights. The flights in question are part of a legal battle stemming from the Trump administration’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to target members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua for deportation.
**Judicial Authority Under Fire**
Hours after President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, Judge James E. Boasberg—a President Obama appointee—granted a temporary restraining order that halted the deportation of five Venezuelans and ordered the aircraft to return to the United States. During a CNN segment, Rep. Burchett lambasted the judge as an “activist” committing political overreach. When pressed by host John Berman on whether his issue was with the judge’s interpretation of federal law or with an allegedly unlawful Senate confirmation, Burchett fired back with stark rhetoric.
**A Heated Exchange**
“I never understand why CNN takes the side of a bunch of murderers that have come into our country illegally,” Burchett said, visibly frustrated as he argued that the individuals targeted for deportation were criminals. “Listen, this is an act of war by these countries. These people have come in illegally—imagine if 14 million people swarmed our border at once. That is an act of war. These folks are not playing fair… It is an act of war.”
Berman attempted to steer the conversation by questioning whether Burchett believed that the White House should comply with federal judicial rulings. However, Burchett doubled down on his criticism, asserting that the Trump administration—and figures like border czar Tom Homan—were “acting appropriately” with immigration measures overwhelmingly supported by Americans.
**Partisan Tensions and Accusations**
The debate grew more intense as Burchett derided what he perceived as CNN’s bias. “If you had a conservative judge doing it, you’d all be raising total hell,” he argued, before accusing the network of “siding with a bunch of murderers.” He then launched another barb at CNN, stating, “I guess what upsets me is that you all at CNN continuously take the side of the far left, and that’s why your ratings continue to plummet. I do not ever understand why y’all do that every time.”
Berman defended his questioning as both valid and respectful, insisting that the judge was simply exercising his constitutional duty to review the president’s “novel” use of the Alien Enemies Act. Yet, Burchett remained unyielding, declaring, “You are so out of touch.”
**A Battle Over the Separation of Powers**
The clash highlights the ongoing national debate about the balance of power between the judiciary and the executive. While Burchett argues that the judge’s actions represent an overstep of judicial authority and politi
In a fiery on-air exchange on CNN, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) sparred with CNN host John Berman over a federal judge’s decision to block deportation flights. The flights in question are part of a legal battle stemming from the Trump administration’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to target members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua for deportation.
**Judicial Authority Under Fire**
Hours after President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, Judge James E. Boasberg—a President Obama appointee—granted a temporary restraining order that halted the deportation of five Venezuelans and ordered the aircraft to return to the United States. During a CNN segment, Rep. Burchett lambasted the judge as an “activist” committing political overreach. When pressed by host John Berman on whether his issue was with the judge’s interpretation of federal law or with an allegedly unlawful Senate confirmation, Burchett fired back with stark rhetoric.
**A Heated Exchange**
“I never understand why CNN takes the side of a bunch of murderers that have come into our country illegally,” Burchett said, visibly frustrated as he argued that the individuals targeted for deportation were criminals. “Listen, this is an act of war by these countries. These people have come in illegally—imagine if 14 million people swarmed our border at once. That is an act of war. These folks are not playing fair… It is an act of war.”
Berman attempted to steer the conversation by questioning whether Burchett believed that the White House should comply with federal judicial rulings. However, Burchett doubled down on his criticism, asserting that the Trump administration—and figures like border czar Tom Homan—were “acting appropriately” with immigration measures overwhelmingly supported by Americans.
**Partisan Tensions and Accusations**
The debate grew more intense as Burchett derided what he perceived as CNN’s bias. “If you had a conservative judge doing it, you’d all be raising total hell,” he argued, before accusing the network of “siding with a bunch of murderers.” He then launched another barb at CNN, stating, “I guess what upsets me is that you all at CNN continuously take the side of the far left, and that’s why your ratings continue to plummet. I do not ever understand why y’all do that every time.”
Berman defended his questioning as both valid and respectful, insisting that the judge was simply exercising his constitutional duty to review the president’s “novel” use of the Alien Enemies Act. Yet, Burchett remained unyielding, declaring, “You are so out of touch.”
**A Battle Over the Separation of Powers**
The clash highlights the ongoing national debate about the balance of power between the judiciary and the executive. While Burchett argues that the judge’s actions represent an overstep of judicial authority and politi
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