The Trump administration is fighting back after a federal judge threatened criminal contempt over deportation flights carried out in March, potentially setting up another high-stakes legal battle.
Key Facts: Criminal Contempt Threat Against Trump Officials
- U.S. District Judge James Boasberg accused the Trump administration of violating his March 15 emergency order halting deportation flights to El Salvador.
- Boasberg found probable cause to pursue criminal contempt Trump charges and ordered officials to explain themselves by April 23.
- The Trump administration filed an emergency appeal with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals late Wednesday night.
- Boasberg claims the administration showed “willful disregard” for court directives under the Alien Enemies Act.
- The Supreme Court had previously ruled the deportations could resume with due process protections in place.
The Rest of the Story: Deportation Flights Under Legal Fire
The dispute centers on deportation flights to El Salvador conducted by the Trump administration on March 15.
That day, a temporary restraining order by Judge Boasberg was supposed to halt such flights under the Alien Enemies Act.
But according to the judge, officials ignored the directive.
Boasberg, an Obama appointee, believes there is enough evidence to justify criminal contempt Trump proceedings.
He cited the government’s refusal to share timely and complete information about who was deported and who in the administration authorized the flights.
If no satisfactory explanation is submitted by April 23, further hearings and prosecution could follow.
The Trump administration, arguing it acted within legal bounds, says Boasberg’s actions amount to an unconstitutional overreach.
A prior ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court had cleared deportation flights to proceed if due process was provided.
🚨 JUST IN: Trump administration is appealing Judge Boasberg's decision to begin holding them in criminal contempt for not turning deportation planes around.
"We plan to seek immediate appellate relief. The President is 100% committed to ensuring that terrorists and criminal… pic.twitter.com/QgezRFAh7o
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 16, 2025
Commentary: Judicial Activism Threatens Constitutional Order
Let’s be honest—this isn’t about process.
This is about Judge Boasberg, a Democrat-appointed judge, trying to kneecap a sitting president.
Despite a 5-4 ruling from the Supreme Court affirming the legality of these deportation flights, Boasberg continues to act as if his courtroom is the ultimate authority over national security policy.
By threatening criminal contempt Trump charges against executive officials, Boasberg is weaponizing the judiciary.
He’s not interested in upholding the law.
He’s interested in making headlines and slowing down deportations that 74% of Americans support.
This is judicial interference, plain and simple.
His actions don’t just stall enforcement—they send a message to every federal agency: obey activist judges or face prosecution.
That’s dangerous.
The executive branch is being bullied by a lower court judge who seems more concerned with ideology than constitutional limits.
The Supreme Court already clarified that the administration may proceed with deportations if basic legal protections are met.
The Trump team argues they followed that guidance.
If that’s true, Boasberg has no business inserting himself again.
This isn’t about justice.
It’s about resistance.
And it’s setting up a constitutional crisis that the Supreme Court must shut down—decisively.
If it doesn’t, rogue judges will keep trying to sabotage elected leaders and frustrate the will of the people.
The Bottom Line: Why This Judicial Power Grab Must Be Checked
This fight isn’t just about one deportation flight.
It’s about who really governs—elected leaders or unaccountable judges.
Judge Boasberg’s move to threaten criminal contempt Trump charges could tip the balance of power in dangerous ways.
If the Supreme Court doesn’t put a stop to this, the judiciary will continue to trample the separation of powers and embolden unelected officials to undermine lawful immigration enforcement.
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