US judge finds administration wilfully defied court order in deportation flights

Summary

A US federal judge has found "probable cause" to hold the Trump administration in contempt of court for violating his previous order to halt deportations of Venezuelan migrants.US District Judge James Boasberg said the administration demonstrated "wilful disregard" for his March 15 order barring the government from deporting Venezuelan alleged gang members to El Salvador.The finding could result in officials facing criminal prosecution for not complying with Judge Boasberg's earlier order.The Trump administration has maintained it was entitled to carry out the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.When Judge Boasberg issued the order, two planes of Venezuelans were already on their way from the United States to El Salvador.The planes were not turned around to the United States.Kilmar Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to a mega-prison in El Salvador by the Trump administration. (Supplied: CASA)On Wednesday, Judge Boasberg said there was probable cause to find officials in the administration in criminal contempt as a result."The Court does not reach such conclusion lightly or hastily," he wrote in his ruling."Indeed, it has given defendants ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions."None of their responses has been satisfactory."Judge Boasberg said the administration would first have the opportunity to "purge" its contempt before he considers potential criminal prosecution."The Constitution does not tolerate wilful disobedience of judicial orders — especially by officials of a coordinate branch who have sworn an oath to uphold it," Judge Boasberg wrote.The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Donald Trump's attacks on the judiciary pre-election, as he personally fought criminal prosecution, was one thing. But the way it's escalating from the White House is stress-testing the separation of powers.The El Salvador deportation flights have been subject to an increasing backlash over reports innocent people have ended...