AP: Judge finds probable cause to hold Trump administration in contempt for violating deportation order

[Dennis Donovan]

AP - Live updates: Judge finds probable cause to hold Trump administration in contempt for violating deportation order

Follow the latest news on President Donald Trump and his administration | April 16, 2025

Edited By BRIDGET BROWN, BERNARD McGHEE and CURTIS YEE
Updated 1:02 PM EDT, April 16, 2025

A federal judge on Wednesday said he has found probable cause to hold President Donald Trump’s administration in criminal contempt of court for violating his orders to turn around planes carrying deportees to El Salvador.

U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg warned he could refer the matter for prosecution if the administration does not “purge” its contempt. Boasberg said the administration could do so by returning to U.S. custody those who were sent to the El Salvador prison in violation of his order so that they “might avail themselves of their right to challenge their removability.”

If the Justice Department declines to prosecute the matter, Boasberg said he will appoint another attorney to prosecute the contempt. “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.

The move marks an escalation in a battle between the judicial and executive branches of government over a president’s powers to carry out key White House priorities. The Republican president has called for Boasberg’s impeachment, while the Justice Department has accused the judge of overstepping his authority.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. Boasberg says if administration won't prosecute potential contempt, he'll appoint a prosecutor who will

This will be fun to watch. I suspect that there are plenty of attorneys including some recently fired DOJ attorneys who will be happy to take this assignment.

Link to tweet

[dalton99a]

11. +1

[Traildogbob]

2. Are ya busy Jack Smith???

[GoodRaisin]

3. And yet, crickets, from the Republican Congress watching Krasnov openly

violate the Constitution. It is as though they aren’t expecting any more free and fair elections.

[sop]

4. I'm sure the whole process will be instructive.

We'll learn whether our judiciary has any power to stop a fascist scofflaw like Trump.

[PCB66]

5. Trump will just ignore the court

He thinks the court has no jurisdiction over him

[drray23]

6. Its not Trump they will be targeting

Its the officials who are going along with it. Unlike Trump they are not immune.

[orangecrush]

9. Speaking of ignore....

[orangecrush]

7. Here we go.

It's full on.

[moniss]

8. A question I would have is whether Crumb The 1st

can pardon himself and any officials regarding this.

[angrychair]

10. Absolutely

But if they keep committing the crime then they can start again. Then he can pardon again. Rinse and repeat.
Honestly I'm surprised he hasn't issued a blanket pardon to his entire administration for all crimes they have committed or will ever commit. Is that legal? No, I don't think so. But I don't think they care about that anymore.

[progressoid]

13. The "supreme court" gave him a blank check

to do whatever the fuck he wants.

[moniss]

15. Yes indeed I was just wondering if there is something

specific in normal law that addresses pardons of officials for contempt.

[Magoo48]

12. Under the present circumstances, contempt means absolutely nothing. There is no enforcement.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

14. Before holding anyone in contempt, he will give defs an opportunity to "purge" the contempt

The judge has found that there is probable cause to bring criminal contempt proceedings. Technically such proceedings will not take place until trump and the DOJ has a chance to purge the contempt by returning to the US the illegally transported detainees.

Link to tweet

There will not be a formal contempt trial until after the DOJ/trump has had a chance to purge the contempt

[Tickle]

16. A district judge has no power to

appoint a prosecutor. That authority firmly belongs to the executive branch under the separation of powers in the US constitution

[Seeking Serenity]

17. My opinion: I think this judge's hatred (extreme dislike, disdain, call it what you will) of Tr*mp and the

Administration, plus maybe some ego thrown in along with a secret understanding that his authority to control the executive branch is actually fairly limited, may be starting get the better of him. What's next, sua sponte orders demanding people report to prison, demanding his policy preferences be followed, or that he now has superintending authority over all executive-branch actions?

You want people to stop believing in the 222-year "gentleman's agreement" that the judiciary or judges have legitimacy, have inherent power in and of themselves? Because this is how you get people to stop believing in the myth.

The legitimacy crisis is real.

Thus endeth my opinion on the matter.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

18. Lock his stinky ass up