By Steve Neavling
Trump administration officials could face criminal contempt charges after defying a federal judge’s order to halt deportations of alleged Venezuelan gang members who were denied due process.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg found “probable cause” Wednesday that administration officials had shown “willful disregard” of his March 15 ruling prohibiting deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, Reuters reports. The judge ordered the administration to comply by allowing deported migrants to challenge their removals or identify officials responsible by April 23.
Boasberg highlighted a retweet by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who shared a post by El Salvador President Nayib Bukele mocking the judge’s ruling, adding, “Oopsie…Too late.” The judge described the administration’s attitude as defiant and gleeful.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the administration would seek immediate relief from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. A Justice Department spokesperson called the judge’s ruling a “judicial power grab.”
The decision marks a significant escalation in tensions between the judicial and executive branches since Trump returned to office. Trump previously called for Boasberg’s impeachment over the same ruling, drawing criticism from Chief Justice John Roberts.
Legal experts described Boasberg’s ruling as a rare and strong rebuke of the administration’s defiance of court authority.
