US Judge Resumes Contempt Investigation Against Trump Officials Over Venezuelan Deportation Case

The Venezuelan men central to this litigation were released from a Salvadoran prison this summer.

Washington:

On Wednesday, a US judge announced the resumption of his previously suspended court proceeding to determine whether Trump administration officials deliberately violated a court order by deporting hundreds of Venezuelan men to El Salvador in March.

US District Judge James Boasberg indicated he would require sworn testimony from administration officials to ascertain if they defied his March court order to redirect aircraft that were removing the men from US territory.

"A factual inquiry appears necessary, and the most appropriate approach would seem to be bringing in witnesses to testify under oath," Boasberg stated during the hour-long status conference.

Earlier this year, a three-judge panel from a federal appeals court had suspended the inquiry. However, a larger panel of appellate judges ruled on Friday that Boasberg "remains free to require the government to identify the decision makers who directed the potentially contemptuous actions and to carefully consider next steps."

Boasberg's Wednesday statements reinvigorated his confrontation with the Trump administration regarding presidential power limitations. By pursuing criminal contempt proceedings, which may result in fines or other censures, Boasberg has provoked criticism from Trump allies who claim he has exceeded his authority.

The judge requested the Justice Department submit a proposal by November 24 outlining their recommended next steps. Boasberg also asked for a similar proposal from attorneys representing the deported men in the litigation.

The Justice Department has contested Boasberg's interpretation of last week's appeals court order, arguing he lacks jurisdiction for contempt proceedings. Additionally, the Justice Department maintains that the Trump administration did not willfully disobey any court orders.

Boasberg has been presiding over a lawsuit filed on behalf of alleged Venezuelan gang members removed from the US under the rarely invoked Alien Enemies Act.

In April, Boasberg concluded that the Trump administration appeared to have acted "in bad faith" when hastily organizing three deportation flights on March 15, concurrent with his emergency court proceedings to evaluate the legality of the deportation effort.

The Venezuelan men at the center of this litigation were released from a Salvadoran prison this summer and subsequently returned to Venezuela as part of a US-brokered prisoner exchange.

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