US judge says he could hold Trump administration in contempt of court

A federal judge is weighing potential contempt of court proceedings against the Trump administration for what he described as a “wilful disregard” of a judicial order. This order had mandated a halt to deportation flights to El Salvador last month, which were carrying over 200 individuals. The controversy surrounds the administration’s invocation of a 227-year-old statute, originally intended for wartime, to justify the mass expulsions to El Salvador.

Federal Judge James Boasberg expressed strong condemnation, stating, “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 emphasized the gravity of potentially holding the Trump administration in contempt.

The White House has indicated its intention to challenge the judge’s scrutiny. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung asserted, “We plan to seek immediate appellate relief.”

Cheung further added, “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.”

Judge Boasberg’s move to initiate contempt proceedings marks an escalation in the ongoing dispute between the White House and the judiciary regarding presidential authority. The core of the issue revolves around the limits of executive power when it intersects with judicial oversight.

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According to Judge Boasberg, the administration can avert a contempt finding, or “purge” itself of contempt, by providing a satisfactory explanation for its actions and adhering to the initial order from the previous month. This response is required by April 23rd.

The ruling from Judge Boasberg comes despite a later Supreme Court decision that seemingly permits President Trump to utilize the 1798 Alien Enemies Act for deportations to El Salvador.

Judge Boasberg clarified that the Supreme Court’s action against his temporary restraining order “does not excuse the Government’s violation” of his prior mandate.

Should the administration fail to furnish the mandated information by the April 23rd deadline, Judge Boasberg intends to identify individuals responsible for disregarding the order to halt deportations.

Subsequently, he could recommend prosecutions for those involved in defying the court order. It is noteworthy that federal prosecutions fall under the purview of the US Justice Department, which ultimately reports to the Trump administration.

In March, the deportation flights resulted in the transfer of over 200 Venezuelans, labeled by the White House as gang members, to a high-security prison in El Salvador.

During a hearing on March 15th, Judge Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order against the utilization of the wartime law and imposed a 14-day suspension on deportations encompassed by the presidential proclamation.

After being informed by lawyers that the flights had already departed, he verbally instructed that the planes be redirected back to the US.

The White House has refuted claims of violating the court ruling. US press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The administration did not ‘refuse to comply’ with a court order.”

Leavitt contended, “The order, which had no lawful basis, was issued after terrorist TdA [Tren de Aragua] aliens had already been removed from US territory.”

Following the continuation of two deportation flights to El Salvador despite his order, Judge Boasberg convened a hearing to examine “possible defiance” of his ruling by the Trump administration.

In response, former President Trump used social media to denounce Judge Boasberg as a “troublemaker and agitator” and suggested his impeachment.

El Salvador reportedly consented to receive the deportees in exchange for a sum of $6 million (£4.6 million).