Judge Boasberg Advances Contempt Charges Against Trump Officials Despite Supreme Court Ruling He Lacked Authority for Original Order
The Supreme Court's unsigned April decision explicitly vacated Boasberg's directives, ruling the district court lacked jurisdiction and that affected individuals needed only reasonable notice to seek habeas relief in the proper venue
WASHINGTON – U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, an Obama appointee who has repeatedly been assigned cases challenging President Trump’s administration, pressed forward on December 8, 2025, with a criminal contempt investigation against Justice Department lawyers over March deportation flights, even though the Supreme Court vacated his underlying order in April for exceeding judicial authority.
In a 46-page opinion, Boasberg cited "willful defiance" of his March 15 temporary restraining order, which sought to halt the removal of over 100 Venezuelan nationals suspected of Tren de Aragua gang affiliations under the Alien Enemies Act. The flights to El Salvador proceeded hours after the order, leading to the probe.
The Supreme Court's unsigned April decision explicitly vacated Boasberg's directives, ruling the district court lacked jurisdiction and that affected individuals needed only reasonable notice to seek habeas relief in the proper venue—Texas, where detainees were held. Despite this clear rebuke, an appeals court panel reinstated the contempt inquiry on November 14.
Boasberg scheduled testimony from Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign on December 16 and ordered the in-person appearance of DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni—previously fired as a whistleblower alleging administration plans to disregard orders—on December 15. Parties may question both witnesses.
He dismissed declarations from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and others as inadequate to disprove willful violation, deeming prosecution of Noem premature but threatening to appoint an independent prosecutor if the Justice Department refuses charges.
This marks a pattern of overreach by Boasberg, who as chief judge of the D.C. District Court has overseen multiple Trump-related matters. In March 2025, he blocked the administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations; he also handled cases on officials' Signal app use, Erie County v. Corporation for National and Community Service on grant freezes, and American Oversight v. Hegseth. During President Trump's first term, Boasberg ordered former Vice President Mike Pence to testify in the January 6 probe.
The administration has responded forcefully: Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a July 2025 misconduct complaint against Boasberg, accusing him of undermining judicial integrity by privately warning Chief Justice John Roberts of potential constitutional crises from disregarded rulings. President Trump called for Boasberg's impeachment in March, labeling him a "troublemaker." On November 17, Republican senators including Josh Hawley requested his suspension by the D.C. Circuit for "abusing his judicial authority to target the Trump administration." An August appeals court ruling had previously blocked Boasberg's contempt efforts as an "extraordinary confrontation" between branches, only for it to be partially revived later.
The underlying civil suit involves deportees contesting President Trump's invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act for expedited removals of suspected gang members. Administration officials assert the flights complied with post-Supreme Court legal standards.
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