Judge Boasberg Poised to Hold Trump Admin in Contempt, Takes Down Names of DHS Officials

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg grilled Trump administration lawyers on Thursday over alleged defiance of a court order that blocked deportations under the historic Alien Enemies Act. The hearing raised the stakes for the administration, as Judge Boasberg considered moving forward with contempt proceedings.

The controversy centers on the Trump administration’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan nationals, including alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Boasberg pressed Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign on why flights carrying migrants left the U.S. after a court injunction temporarily halted such deportations.

Boasberg didn’t mince words, suggesting the government may have acted in bad faith. "If you really believed everything you did that day was legal and would survive a court challenge, you would not have operated the way that you did," the judge remarked. Oof. That’s not exactly a glowing review of the administration’s compliance.

At least 261 migrants, including over 100 Venezuelans, were deported on March 15, despite the court’s order. Boasberg repeatedly interrogated Ensign about who had knowledge of the flights and whether any related materials were classified. Ensign admitted the information was likely not classified, leaving the judge to wonder why it hadn’t been shared with the court in a private setting.

"Pretty sketchy," Boasberg quipped, summing up what many in the courtroom were probably thinking.

Timing was another thorny issue. The administration started loading planes with migrants hours before the flights departed, raising suspicions of premeditation. "So then it’s not crazy to infer there was prior knowledge and actions ahead of the Saturday night deportations?" Boasberg asked. He also demanded the names of officials involved, going so far as to jot them down himself. That’s one way to keep receipts.

The legal saga is part of a broader clash between Trump and the judiciary. Trump has publicly criticized Boasberg as an "activist judge" and even called for his impeachment. But Boasberg, undeterred, has promised to issue a decision next week on whether to hold the administration in contempt. The next round of arguments is scheduled for Tuesday.

For now, the drama continues to unfold, with the administration appealing the case to the Supreme Court. But if Boasberg’s sharp comments are any indication, the road ahead won’t be smooth for Trump’s team. Stay tuned for what’s shaping up to be a legal showdown of historic proportions.