U.S. judge threatens Trump administration with criminal contempt charges

A U.S. federal judge says he’s found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt of court.

District Judge James E. Boasberg says the government defied a judicial order by refusing to turn around planes carrying deportees to an El Salvador prison last month.

In a written statement, Boasberg said the administration demonstrated “willful disregard” for his order – which barred the deportations.

The government claims it was deporting gang members, but the migrants’ lawyers and families say they were never given the opportunity to dispute the government’s accusations.

This ruling is the closest the judicial branch of government has come to punishing the Trump administration since he returned to the White House on January 20.

Boasberg warned he would bring the case to prosecution if the government doesn’t remedy the violation.

The Trump administration has appealed the ruling.

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