US district judge James Boasberg on Wednesday ruled that "probable cause exists" to hold officials from US President Donald Trump's administration in criminal contempt for violating court orders that blocked the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act .
Boasberg said the officials willfully disregarded his order from mid-March, which had halted the use of the 18th-century law to deport the migrants. Despite the ruling, the government went ahead and sent three planes of migrants to a prison in El Salvador, sparking political and legal outrage.
In a sharply worded decision, Boasberg wrote, "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."
Boasberg said that his decision was not made lightly and noted that the justice department had been given "ample opportunity" to explain or correct the actions. "None of their responses has been satisfactory," he said.
The judge has not yet decided on the punishment or next steps, and is now giving the justice department a chance to respond before moving forward.
Boasberg said the officials willfully disregarded his order from mid-March, which had halted the use of the 18th-century law to deport the migrants. Despite the ruling, the government went ahead and sent three planes of migrants to a prison in El Salvador, sparking political and legal outrage.
In a sharply worded decision, Boasberg wrote, "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."
Boasberg said that his decision was not made lightly and noted that the justice department had been given "ample opportunity" to explain or correct the actions. "None of their responses has been satisfactory," he said.
The judge has not yet decided on the punishment or next steps, and is now giving the justice department a chance to respond before moving forward.
You may also like
Gold may hit Rs 1 lakh amid Trump tariffs, recession fears: Experts
Aimee Lou Wood's 'resonant' forgotten series with 100% Rotten Tomatoes score is streaming free
Neha Dhupia poses amidst clouds as she shares a glimpse of her shoot daries
'Rotten people': FSU shooter Phoenix Ikner's parents blamed after his deranged campus rampage
Kawasaki Bikes and Their Features: Power Meets Precision
