Judge eyes contempt for Trump team over defiant deportation flights

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg grilled Trump administration lawyers on Thursday over their defiance of a court order blocking deportations under a wartime immigration law. The administration has been using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan nationals, including alleged members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang. Boasberg questioned Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign on why the government seemed to ignore an emergency injunction last month halting those deportations.

The administration has appealed the underlying case to the Supreme Court, but for now, Boasberg is considering whether to move forward with contempt proceedings. Boasberg stated that he would issue a decision as early as next week on how to proceed if there are grounds to hold the administration in contempt.

During the hearing, Ensign was repeatedly questioned about who in the Trump administration had information about the deportation flights and when the flights left the U.S. for El Salvador. Boasberg expressed concern about the government’s actions on the day of the deportations, suggesting that they may have acted in bad faith.

The judge also questioned Ensign about the classification of the flight information and whether any materials related to the flights were considered classified. Ensign indicated that the flight information was likely not classified, prompting Boasberg to question why it had not been shared with the court.

Boasberg also focused on the timing of the deportation flights, noting that federal agents began loading planes with migrants bound for El Salvador before the flights actually left the U.S. He questioned whether there was prior knowledge and actions taken before the deportations.

The hearing delved into the names, locations, and agencies of individuals who were involved in the removals, as well as internal conversations with other administration officials. Boasberg pressed Ensign on who was informed about the court order and when they were notified.

The hearing is part of a series of legal battles over the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act. Boasberg ordered officials to explain why they failed to comply with his directive to return the deportation flights and whether they knowingly defied the court.

Boasberg told both parties that arguments on the plaintiffs’ preliminary injunction motion would be held next week. This hearing highlights the ongoing conflict between Trump and Boasberg, with the president publicly criticizing the judge as an “activist” and calling for his impeachment.