U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has moved to hold the Trump administration in contempt of court for defying his order to immediately halt deportation flights of illegal Venezuelan migrants. The administration proceeded with deportations to El Salvador despite Boasberg’s directive to suspend such actions.
The legal dispute centers on the administration’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to expedite the removal of Venezuelan nationals allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang. On March 15, Judge Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order, including a verbal directive, instructing that any deportation flights in progress be turned back. Despite this, the administration allowed at least three flights to proceed, transporting over 260 migrants to El Salvador.
The administration contends that the judge’s verbal order was not legally binding and that the flights were already beyond U.S. jurisdiction when the order was issued. White House officials have defended the deportations as lawful and necessary for national security.
Judge Boasberg sharply criticized the administration’s actions, though his ruling today gives it one final opportunity to come into compliance. If it fails to do so, Boasberg said he will take steps to identify the individuals who defied his March 15 order — which was later lifted by the Supreme Court — and refer them for possible prosecution.
As The Hill reports:
“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 wrote.
“The Court does not reach such conclusion lightly or hastily; indeed, it has given Defendants ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions. None of their responses has been satisfactory,” he continued.
The order is a blow to a Trump administration that has dug in on its claims it has no obligation to return any of the men swiftly deported to a Salvadoran prison after Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which has only been used three previous times, all during wars.
In the order, Boasberg faulted the administration for having “spirited out” of the country more than 100 Venezuelans amid their efforts to challenge the legality of their deportations.
“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,” he added.
The situation underscores ongoing tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary over immigration enforcement and the limits of presidential authority. Legal experts warn that continued defiance of court orders could precipitate a constitutional crisis.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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This ‘judge’ apparently was not in class when the topic of JURISDICTION was discussed. Of course he wasn’t the only one as far too many district judges have been making decisions that they are trying to apply nationwide when they only have authority to make ‘rulings’ within their district.
BTW, does anyone have an idea as to how us mere mortals can hold those judges in contempt for trying to legislate from the bench? That is particularly true when they are ‘ruling’ based on their personal biases instead of the rule of law and the Constitution.
Time for the branches to have a discussion about where the constitutional boundaries are. The Judicial has crossed the boundaries into both Congress and Executive. It needs to be pulled back to interpreting the rights of citizens and guests, not invaders. Law breakers, even those who were allowed by our crooked government officials have no rights of protected harbor. Put those who allowed this invasion in chains and tried for treason, sellouts to Americans.
How can there be contempt if the judge had zero jurisdiction in the first place? This is settled law from the highest court in the land, is it not? Perhaps the majority vote technique might be the way to go in this case and in a few others of those that think they are the center of the universe?
Every one of these god like judges that believe they have the authority to rule against the president need to be given a reality check by being impeached; I know there aren’t enough votes in the Senate to remove them from office; but it will bring out all of the unconstitutional rulings they have made for many years.
I think our boy there is skating on thin ice. As a non-elected individual who likes to pick and choose what he supports, he seems to have “elected” himself a national overseer of lawbreakers. If he was sworn to uphold the laws, his first concern would be to uphold those laws that prohibit illegal immigration. If a judge can support illegal activities in the U.S., he has committed an impeachable offense. And the idea that he is using his office to protect family members deeply into questionable affairs and he continues not to recuse himself is more fodder for impeachment. It seems like he is trying to make a name for himself so that he can actually run for an elected office. First, though, he needs to be ready to testify in Congress and defend his actions.
..this so-called judge has completely gone off the rails… aka batshit crazy! ….’nuff said!
This judge needs to be removed from the bench. He’s a political hack, not a judge. He has no legal standing to interfere with U.S. foreign policy in this matter. Why are Democrats so hell bent to keep these criminals in our country? Remember all of this in 2026. Vote all Democrats out of office. They are do far removed from reality and common sense and need to be treated like children apparently.
The SCOTUS has already told Boasberg to pound sand. They gave Trump the green light to use the Alien enemies act to get rid of these illegal scumbags.
Tie to start impeaching and trying some of these activist judges for crimes against the Costitution.