US Judge Revives Contempt Case Against Trump Officials Over Deportations

A US judge has restarted a court case to determine whether Trump administration officials illegally deported hundreds of Venezuelan men to El Salvador in March. The case focuses on whether officials ignored a March court order to stop the deportations.

US District Judge James Boasberg said on Wednesday that he will require sworn testimony from officials to find out if they defied his orders. “It seems that a factual inquiry is in order, and the best way to proceed would appear to be bringing in witnesses and having them testify under oath,” Boasberg said during a status conference.

Earlier this year, a three-judge panel of a federal appeals court had paused the inquiry. But a larger panel later ruled that Boasberg is allowed to identify the decision-makers and consider next steps. The criminal contempt proceedings could lead to fines or other penalties for officials found in violation.

Boasberg asked the Justice Department to submit a plan by November 24 detailing the next steps. Lawyers representing the deported men were also asked to submit their proposals. The Justice Department disagrees with Boasberg’s authority, arguing that the administration did not willfully break any court orders.

The lawsuit involves Venezuelan men who were deported under the rarely used Alien Enemies Act. In April, Boasberg said the Trump administration appeared to act “in bad faith” when it quickly organized three deportation flights on March 15 while he was reviewing the legality of the deportations. The men were later released from a Salvadoran prison this summer and returned to Venezuela as part of a US-brokered prisoner swap.

This case highlights ongoing tensions over presidential power, legal limits, and the rights of immigrants in the United States.