A federal judge on Wednesday found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for violating a deportation order. U.S District Judge James E. Boasberg accused administration officials of rushing deportees out of the country under the Alien Enemies Act last month before they could challenge their removal in court.
Boasberg warned that if the administration does not act to remedy the violation, he may hold hearings and refer the matter for prosecution. The judge stated that the Constitution does not tolerate willful disobedience of judicial orders, especially from officials who have sworn an oath to uphold it.
The administration said it would appeal, claiming the president’s commitment to ensuring national security. However, Boasberg wrote that the government’s conduct betrayed a desire to outrun the judiciary’s reach.
Boasberg gave the government until April 23 to explain the steps it has taken to remedy the violation or identify the individual responsible for not turning planes around. The judge did not specify which official could be held in contempt, but warned that officials who deliberately disregarded his orders may face prosecution.
This ruling marks a dramatic battle between the judicial and executive branches of government over the president’s powers to carry out key White House priorities.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportees-el-salvador-contempt-boasberg-da282511ac6f5c8dd19af620995ca440