Judge Threatens Criminal Contempt Charges Against Trump Officials Over Deportations
A federal judge has indicated that Trump administration officials could face criminal contempt charges for allegedly violating his order to halt deportations of Venezuelan migrants accused of gang membership. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in Washington found "probable cause" for criminal contempt charges, stating the administration showed "willful disregard" for his March 15 order that prohibited deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. Attorneys and relatives of many deportees claim they aren't gang members and were denied opportunities to challenge the government's allegations. The ruling represents the most significant judicial suggestion of potential punishment since President Trump returned to office on January 20, intensifying tensions between the judicial and executive branches. "It's a very strong rebuke to the administration and opens the door for further proceedings to determine who, in fact, disregarded the […]