The Trump Administration may think that it’s completely untouchable in all of its actions, but today, it actually received some legal pushback.
On Wednesday, US District Judge James Boasberg ruled that “probable cause exists” to hold Trump Administration officials in contempt of court, for violating the court’s orders on using the Alien Enemies Act to justify deportations.
Per CNN, the order “puts the administration on the path toward being punished for thwarting court orders.”
The judge issued a 46-page ruling in the case.
Boasberg finds ‘probable cause exists’ to hold Trump administration in contempt for violating orders on deportation flights | CNN Politics https://t.co/kYIZRnAjGa
— Rachel Sklar (@rachelsklar) April 16, 2025
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“The Court ultimately determines that the Government’s actions on that day demonstrate a willful disregard for its Order, sufficient for the Court to conclude that probable cause exists to find the Government in criminal contempt,” the judge wrote.
“The Court does not reach such conclusion lightly or hastily; indeed, it has given Defendants ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions. None of their responses has been satisfactory,” he added.
CNN legal analyst Steve Vladeck noted that judges often do not take this step.
“Holding federal executive branch officials in criminal contempt is just about unheard of, once in a blue moon,” Vladeck, a law professor, said in the story. “Part of why Chief Judge Boasberg is moving cautiously is because he’s trying to walk a tightrope, not letting the government off the hook for its misbehavior, but also not provoking pushback from either the DC Circuit or the Supreme Court.”
Could members of the Trump Administration be jailed as a result of this ruling? We’re a few steps away from anything like that.
it is getting very real.
I think this is what Roberts actually had in mind in terms of “facilitate”
criminal contempt of court is a felony 6 months in jail.
go ask Steve Bannon what that means. also Trump pardon does not work here and Trump himself is not protected. https://t.co/oZ0LWqeWaK pic.twitter.com/KpqsYBRdPP— George Robertson (@BickerinBrattle) April 16, 2025
“For the foregoing reasons, the Court will find probable cause that Defendants’ actions constitute contempt. It will provide them an opportunity to purge such contempt. If they opt not to do so, the Court will proceed to identify the contemnor(s) and refer the matter for prosecution. A separate Order so stating will issue this day.”
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