- A federal judge found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in contempt for violating a court order that halted the deportation of Venezuelans to El Salvador. Despite the ruling, nearly 300 migrants were sent to a high-security prison.
- Judge Boasberg cited “willful disregard” for his order and outlined steps for identifying and potentially prosecuting responsible officials.
- The Supreme Court had previously backed the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act. However, the Supreme Court required that individuals be given notice prior to their deportation.
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A federal judge said he’s found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in contempt for failing to comply with his court order when deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador on March 15.
In a 46-page ruling, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg wrote, “The court ultimately determines that the government’s actions on that day demonstrate a willful disregard for its order, sufficient for the court to conclude that probable cause exists to find the government in criminal contempt.”
Boasberg added, “Despite the court’s written order and the oral command spelling out what was required for compliance, the government did not stop the ongoing removal process.”
Boasberg gives the administration a chance to purge contempt
Judge Boasberg said he will provide the Trump administration with an opportunity to purge such contempt.
First, the judge says the court will identify the “individual(s) responsible for the contumacious conduct by determining whose ‘specific act or omission’ caused the noncompliance.”
Second, the court will require written declarations from these individuals and, if found to be unsatisfactory, will proceed with live witness testimony under oath.
Then, the court would request that a government attorney prosecute an individual found to be in contempt.
Finally, if the government declines to prosecute, the court will appoint another attorney to prosecute the individual found in contempt.
How did the White House respond?
Following Boasberg’s ruling, White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung issued a response on X. He said, “We plan to seek immediate appellate relief. The president is 100% committed to ensuring that terrorists and criminal illegal migrants are no longer a threat to Americans and their communities across the country.”
How did the administration get here?
In March, President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act. It grants the president the power to apprehend and deport naturalized individuals.
Boasberg granted a temporary restraining order on March 15, ordering the government to halt the deportation flights and return the planes.
However, the federal government argued the flights had left and were already over international waters when the judge made the ruling. As such, the deportees were not brought back to the United States.
Nearly 300 migrants arrived in El Salvador that night and were sent to the high-security Terrorism Confinement Center — also known as CECOT.
Supreme Court rules in favor of Trump administration
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing the federal government to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members to El Salvador’s mega-prison. However, the justices ruled that deportees must be given notice so they can challenge their removal from the country.
