Judge Boasberg Revives Contempt Proceedings Against Trump Officials in Alien Enemies Act Case

Washington D.C. – U.S. District Judge James Boasberg announced on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, that he will promptly resume criminal contempt proceedings against Trump administration officials. These proceedings stem from allegations that officials defied his March 2025 order to halt deportation flights under the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) in the case of J.G.G. v. Trump. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals recently cleared the path for Judge Boasberg to continue his inquiry.

The development comes as another high-profile legal battle, the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, saw its own hearing on Wednesday. In Comey's case, federal prosecutors admitted that the final version of his indictment was not presented to the full grand jury, leading to questions about the indictment's validity. Judge Michael Nachmanoff, overseeing the Comey case, also heard arguments that the prosecution is a vindictive action against the former FBI director.

Judge Boasberg, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, initially found "probable cause to find the Government in criminal contempt" in April, stating that officials had shown "willful disobedience" by allowing deportation flights to El Salvador to proceed despite his direct order. The flights, which transported Venezuelan migrants alleged to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang, continued even after the judge's directive to turn them back. The migrants were held in El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) for several months before being released as part of a prisoner swap with Venezuela.

The judge emphasized his determination to uncover the truth, stating, "I certainly intend to find out what happened on that day." He indicated that his inquiry could involve sworn declarations from administration officials or their testimony in court, with hearings potentially beginning as early as December 1. Among those of interest is a former Justice Department lawyer who, in a whistleblower complaint, alleged that a top DOJ official suggested ignoring court orders related to the aggressive deportation effort.

Judge Boasberg's actions in the J.G.G. v. Trump case previously drew criticism from former President Donald Trump, who called for the judge's impeachment, prompting a rare public rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts. The judge has requested the Justice Department and attorneys involved in the AEA challenge to submit their proposals on how the contempt inquiry should proceed by Monday.