On April 16, 2025, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled that there is probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for violating his March 15 order to halt deportation flights of alleged Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act. Boasberg found that the administration's actions, including allowing two planes to continue to El Salvador despite his directive to turn them around, demonstrated a "willful disregard" for his order. He criticized the administration for not providing satisfactory explanations and for rushing deportations to evade judicial oversight. The judge gave the administration until April 23 to either remedy the violation by ensuring deportees can challenge their removal in court or identify officials responsible for defying the order for potential prosecution. Boasberg emphasized that judicial orders must be obeyed until reversed, regardless of their legal correctness, and warned that failure to comply could lead to appointing a special prosecutor. The administration plans to seek appellate relief, arguing the deportations targeted dangerous gang members.
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