U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for violating court orders regarding deportation flights. The ruling, issued on Wednesday (April 16), centers on the administration's actions in mid-March, when officials allegedly defied Boasberg's order to halt deportations under the Alien Enemies Act and return planes carrying Venezuelan nationals to the United States.
Judge Boasberg criticized the administration's "willful disobedience" and emphasized that such actions undermine the Constitution.
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. To permit such officials to freely “annul the judgments of the courts of the United States” would not just “destroy the rights acquired under those judgments”; it would make “a solemn mockery” of “the constitution itself," Judge Boasberg wrote in his 46-page ruling.
He noted that despite the Supreme Court later vacating his order, the administration's actions during the order's three-week validity demonstrated a disregard for judicial authority.
The judge has given the Trump administration one week to propose steps to rectify the situation, including potentially asserting custody over the deported individuals so they can challenge their removability through legal proceedings.
Judge Boasberg has also warned that if the administration fails to comply, he will identify the individuals responsible for the noncompliance and may appoint an independent attorney to prosecute the contempt.