Appeals court halts Boasberg’s contempt proceedings against Trump administration

SUMMARY

a divided D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals panel, in a 2-1 vote, hit pause on U.S. District Judge James Boasberg’s contempt proceedings against the Trump administration over March 15, 2025, deportation flights to El Salvador. Trump-appointed Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao backed the stay, giving time to review the DOJ’s appeal, while Obama appointee Judge Cornelia Pillard dissented, arguing, “In the absence of an appealable order…there is no ground for an administrative stay.” Boasberg, an Obama pick, found “probable cause” on April 16 to hold officials in contempt for “willful disregard” of his order to halt 261 deportations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The Supreme Court’s April 7 ruling lifted his block but required judicial review for deportees. Seconds after the appeals court’s 8:31 p.m. ET order, Boasberg, during an ACLU emergency hearing, declined to stop new deportations, saying, “I just don’t think I have the power.” ACLU’s Lee Gelernt griped, “We feel stuck.”