The Trump administration is once again in the legal crosshairs—this time over the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members mid-flight, despite a court order. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has found “probable cause” to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt, accusing officials of defying direct judicial orders.
At the center of the dispute is the Alien Enemies Act, an over-200-year-old law revived by President Trump to expedite deportations of foreign nationals tied to violent criminal organizations. In this case, a plane carrying deportees was rerouted and landed in El Salvador, reportedly sending alleged gang members to prison there—even as a federal court was still reviewing their case.
Judge Boasberg didn’t hold back, slamming the administration for what he described as a “willful disregard” for court authority. He added that if the Department of Justice fails to prosecute, he would appoint his own attorney to move the contempt charge forward.
This move comes after the Supreme Court ruled that Boasberg’s own court wasn’t the proper venue for the broader case, creating a tangled web of judicial authority and executive action. Legal groups like the ACLU and Democracy Forward were quick to pounce, suing the Trump team over the use of the Alien Enemies Act and decrying the administration’s bold legal posture.
At its core, this is a battle over the separation of powers. The Trump administration defends its actions as necessary for national security, while rogue activist judges and liberal legal organizations claim the executive branch is steamrolling the courts. Expect more legal fireworks ahead—because neither side looks ready to back down.