A federal appeals court on Friday overturned Judge James Boasberg’s order initiating contempt against the Trump Administration over Alien Enemies Act deportations.
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 ruling concluded that “the government has satisfied the stringent requirements for a writ of mandamus. The Court therefore grants the government’s petition for mandamus and vacates the district court’s probable-cause order.”
The three-judge panel included: Majority: Katsas (Trump), Rao (Trump) – Dissent: Pillard (Obama).
Earlier this year Boasberg said he found probable cause to hold the Trump Administration in criminal contempt of court for defying his order to turn around planes carrying dangerous Venezuelan gang members.
In a 46-page opinion, Judge Boasberg said the Trump Administration showed willful defiance that amounts to criminal contempt.
Boasberg also threatened to appoint a prosecutor if the Trump Administration won’t prosecute the criminal contempt.
In March Boasberg granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the Trump administration from deporting thousands of Venezuelan nationals believed to be members of Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang under the Alien Enemies Act.