Federal Judge Finds Probable Cause to Hold Trump Administration in Criminal Contempt Over Defiance of Court Order on Venezuelan Migrant Transfers

A federal judge has determined that there is probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for not complying with a court order related to the transportation of Venezuelan migrants. The ruling, issued by D.C. Chief Judge James Boasberg, centers on the administration’s actions concerning planes carrying migrants to El Salvador under the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. This decision follows the administration’s defiance of a previous order to halt such transfers.

Judge Boasberg’s order, issued on Wednesday, requires the government to either comply with the initial directive by April 23 or identify individuals within the administration who could face sanctions for their involvement. The judge’s 46-page decision highlights what he describes as a “willful disregard” for the court’s authority, emphasizing the seriousness of the administration’s actions on March 15.

The Alien Enemies Act, a wartime measure, was cited by the administration as the legal basis for the transfer of migrants. However, the court’s order had specifically barred the government from moving certain individuals into Salvadoran custody under this act. The judge’s ruling underscores the legal challenges faced by the administration in its immigration enforcement efforts.

This development adds to the ongoing legal scrutiny of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The court’s decision could lead to further legal consequences for those involved, depending on the government’s response to the order. The situation remains dynamic as the deadline approaches for the administration to address the court’s demands.