Judge Gives Trump Admin 7 Days to Comply — Or Face Criminal Charges
Date April 17, 2025 | By TruthWire.News Staff
Who: U.S. District Judge James Boasberg; Trump administration officials
What: Possible criminal contempt over court order violations
Where: U.S. federal court (D.C. District)
When: April 16, 2025 (ruling); April 23 deadline to comply
Why: Deportation of Venezuelan nationals despite federal injunction
A federal judge has put the Trump administration on notice: comply with the law, or face criminal consequences.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled Wednesday that there is probable cause to pursue contempt proceedings against Trump officials for allegedly violating a court order that blocked the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelan nationals.
The individuals were deported under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 — a rarely used law — which the administration invoked to target alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua & member of El Salvadorian gang MS-13. The deportations were carried out despite an injunction, triggering the court’s response.
Boasberg’s warning was unambiguous: either the administration retrieves the deported individuals or identifies who authorized the flights in violation of the order. The court gave the administration until April 23 to comply or face potential criminal referrals.
Legal experts say the situation could escalate into one of the most significant contempt cases against federal officials in recent history.
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