A federal judge is poised to reignite a contentious investigation into whether the Trump administration deliberately defied a direct court order. The case centers on the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, a move that occurred despite an emergency order issued to halt the flights.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg expressed his intent to move “promptly” on a contempt inquiry, signaling a determination to uncover the truth behind the administration’s actions. The judge indicated a strong desire to hear testimony from key Justice Department figures, both past and present, potentially setting the stage for a fierce legal battle.
The core of the dispute lies in the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime law, to justify the deportations. The migrants were sent to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, even as Judge Boasberg demanded their immediate return to U.S. soil – a demand that was ignored.
The Justice Department lawyer present at the hearing immediately objected to any further criminal contempt proceedings. However, Judge Boasberg remained resolute, stating his intention to “determine what happened” on that fateful day, and that the government could “assist” him to whatever extent they chose.
Compelling testimony from a former Justice Department lawyer, Erez Reuveni, has already surfaced. Reuveni claims he was advised that officials “may have to consider telling that court, ‘f* you’” if prevented from carrying out the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. This revelation fuels the suspicion of deliberate defiance.
The Venezuelan migrants were held in CECOT, El Salvador’s notorious maximum-security prison, for months. They were eventually returned to Venezuela as part of a prisoner exchange involving the release of Americans detained there, but the question of due process remains unanswered.
Judge Boasberg previously found “probable cause” to pursue criminal contempt, citing what he described as the administration’s “willful disregard” for the court’s order. The case stalled for months, but a recent ruling by the appeals court has now sent it back to Boasberg for revival.
This legal battle has already drawn the ire of Trump and his allies, some of whom even attempted to have Judge Boasberg temporarily removed from the bench. The judge, however, appeared unfazed, focused solely on the pursuit of justice.
Beyond the contempt inquiry, the court is also considering requests for relief on behalf of the deported migrants. Many of those sent to El Salvador still seek the opportunity to challenge their alleged gang status and assert their due process rights, a process the court is now preparing to address.
Identifying and locating the deported migrants remains a significant challenge, but lawyers representing the class of plaintiffs report that the “overwhelming” majority still wish to have their claims heard. The coming weeks promise further legal maneuvering as the court determines how to proceed.
