US judge says ‘probable cause exists’ to hold Trump administration in criminal contempt over deportation flights

The Trump administration had invoked the Alien Enemies Act, formed in 1798, which is meant to protect the United States during wartime to carry out the mass deportation.

By: Express Web Desk

Updated: April 17, 2025 05:23 AM IST

2 min read

In this photo provided by El Salvador's presidential press office, a prison guard transfers deportees from the U.S., alleged to be Venezuelan gang members, to the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador. (El Salvador presidential press office via AP, File)

A US district judge has said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s administration’s officials could be held in contempt of court charges for violating and “wilful disregard” of an order to halt the use of Alien Enemies Act to deport more than 200 alleged members of a Venezuelan gang.

The US District Judge James Boasberg, in a written ruling, stated that “probable cause exists” to hold US government officials in criminal contempt of court proceedings, as he said that officials illustrated a “wilful disregard” towards his March 15 order to halt the deportation flights to El Salvador.

“The Court does not reach such a conclusion lightly or hastily; indeed, it has given Defendants ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions. None of their responses has been satisfactory,” District Judge James Boasberg wrote.

The Trump administration had invoked the Alien Enemies Act, formed in 1798, which is meant to protect the United States during wartime to carry out the mass deportation. The White House has said that it will contest the ruling by Judge Boasberg.

“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,” said White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, as per BBC.

However, Judge Boasberg added that Trump administration officials could still avoid contempt proceedings if they allow the migrants to challenge their ruling in court.

The judge gave the US government time until April 23 to decide what steps it would take, or to identify the officials who decided to disregard his order so they could potentially be prosecuted, Reuters reported.

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