Judge finds cause to hold Trump administration in contempt over Venezuelan deportations

What Happened?

A federal judge has found probable cause that the Trump administration acted in contempt of court over carrying out deportations of alleged Venezuelan gang members.

U.S. District Judge, James Boasberg, referenced an incident last month where White House officials allegedly defied his order to turn around two planes carrying over 200 immigrants to El Salvador.

Five Venezuelan immigrants had reportedly secured emergency relief just hours before the Trump administration said it would use an 18th-century wartime act.

The White House previously denied allegations that it engaged in 'a blatant violation' of Judge Boasberg's order.

But Boasberg found 'the Government’s actions on that day demonstrate a willful disregard for its Order.'

He suggested the actions were sufficient enough to 'conclude that probable cause exists to find the Government in criminal contempt.'

‘The Court does not reach such conclusion lightly or hastily; indeed, it has given Defendants ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions,’ Boasberg wrote Wednesday in his 46-page opinion. ‘None of their responses has been satisfactory.’

Why it Matters

Boasberg had previously rejected the Trump administration’s effort but was later allowed by a Supreme Court decision.

The Trump administration can carry out the Alien Enemies Act as long as the migrants get 'reasonable time' to go to court for a hearing.

A group of Venezuelan men in immigration custody filed a lawsuit after being accused of affiliation with the Tren de Aragua gang.

Boasberg had said that lawyers who represented the named plaintiffs disputed they were members of Tren de Aragua.

Those Venezuelan men were not to be deported until 'a court decides the merits of their challenge.'

The move clashed with President Donald Trump, who had called for the impeachment of various judges like Boasberg over challenging his policies.

The Trump administration has continued to imply that the government had other legal grounds for the deportations.

How it Affects You

Although the Supreme Court vacated his order, Boasberg concluded that the Trump administration still defied directives during the time it was in effect.

Should the White House not wish to challenge Boasberg’s court findings, there may likely be more effort to request declarations from the government.

Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has made it clear that foreign policy of the United States is conducted by the U.S. president, not by a court.

It's unclear what path this may set for future district judges and the Trump administration amid deportation rulings.