A rogue federal judge in Washington, D.C., intends to slap Trump administration officials with criminal contempt charges after allegedly defying a court order that blocked the deportation of Venezuelan migrants under the rarely used Alien Enemies Act.
Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg didn’t mince words in his 46-page ruling, accusing the government of showing “willful disregard” for judicial authority by greenlighting deportation flights on March 15 and 16—days after he issued an injunction. That, Boasberg wrote, is enough to establish probable cause for contempt, wrote The Washington Post.
Boasberg’s move escalates an already volatile legal battle over the Trump administration’s controversial use of an 18th-century wartime law—one not wielded this broadly since World War II—to justify the expulsion of migrants. The Alien Enemies Act allows the president to deport citizens of foreign nations deemed hostile to the United States.
“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,” Boasberg wrote. To ignore such rulings, he added, would reduce constitutional government to “a solemn mockery.”
In a shocking display of sanctimony and arrogance, the left wing judge also stated that it doesn’t matter that the Supreme Court already dismissed his ruling.
Boasberg emphasizes that it doesn't matter that the Supreme Court dismissed the case on jurisdictional grounds. A foundational principle of the judiciary is that contempt is contempt, even if an order is later overturned on appeal.
Here's how he spells it out. pic.twitter.com/IwlkDrAUWJ
— Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) April 16, 2025
The judge’s ruling triggers a formal inquiry into which officials authorized the deportation flights and whether they knowingly violated the court’s directive. He also left open the possibility of appointing a special prosecutor if the Justice Department declines to act.
Response from the White House was swift. Steven Cheung, communications director for Donald Trump, defended the deportations, stating the former president is “100% committed” to protecting the country from “terrorists and criminal illegal migrants.” A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson called the ruling “lawless.” The Justice Department declined to comment.
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. https://t.co/Qc8SyOzPOj
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) April 16, 2025
If contempt proceedings move forward, the case could join a short list of modern examples where federal officials were sanctioned for defying court orders.
“Who made the decision either not to tell the pilots anything or to tell them to keep going?” Boasberg asked. “I intend to get to the bottom of it.”
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When the he!! is the lazy a$$ SCOTUS going to step in and tell Boasberg he has no authority in cases of illegal immigration ?? Actions against Illegal immigration is the responsibility of the Executive Branch, meaning the President, who swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution that requires him or her to protect the lives and property of U.S. citizens from foreign invaders. That is exactly what the president is doing, nothing more. Boasberg should have already been removed from his position. Proof out SCOTUS is a joke as long as John Roberts and Coney-Barrett are in it. They are both squishy RINOS.