WASHINGTON — A Washington D.C. federal judge has been ordered to halt his contempt investigation into the Trump administration’s handling of deportation flights involving Venezuelan migrants, following a ruling from a federal appeals court panel on Tuesday.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit determined that Chief Judge James Boasberg exceeded his authority when he continued criminal contempt proceedings related to deportation flights from March 2025. The appeals court described the investigation as overly “intrusive.”
In the majority decision, Circuit Judge Neomi Rao stated that President Donald Trump’s administration possesses a “clear and indisputable” right to have the contempt proceedings terminated.
“The legal error at the heart of these criminal contempt proceedings demonstrates why further investigation by the district court is an abuse of discretion,” Rao explained in her written opinion. “Criminal contempt is available only for the violation of an order that is clear and specific. (Boasberg’s March 2025 order) did not clearly and specifically bar the government from transferring plaintiffs into Salvadoran custody.”
The controversy stems from events on March 15, 2025, when Judge Boasberg issued an order directing the Trump administration to reverse course on two aircraft that were already airborne, carrying Venezuelan migrants from the United States to El Salvador.
Trump administration representatives maintain that Boasberg demonstrated bias and exceeded his judicial powers. They argue the judge acted inappropriately in his handling of the deportation matter.
In a subsequent April 16, 2025 ruling, Boasberg indicated that the Trump administration potentially acted dishonestly by attempting to expedite the removal of Venezuelan migrants despite his order preventing their deportation to El Salvador. The judge noted he provided the administration with sufficient chances to “rectify or explain their actions” but found that “none of their responses has been satisfactory.”
The political tensions surrounding this case have escalated significantly. President Trump has publicly advocated for Boasberg’s impeachment, while the Justice Department submitted a misconduct complaint last year alleging the judge made inappropriate public statements regarding Trump and his administration. However, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has publicly dismissed calls for the judge’s impeachment.
The appeals court panel consisted of Circuit Judge Rao, a Trump appointee, along with Circuit Judges Justin Walker and J. Michelle Childs. Walker, another Trump nominee, authored a separate opinion supporting Rao’s decision. Childs, who received her nomination from Democratic President Joe Biden, filed a dissenting opinion. Judge Boasberg was originally nominated by former Democratic President Barack Obama.
