DC Circuit Court Halts Judge Boasberg’s Contempt Order Against Trump Admin Officials
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday temporarily halted Judge Boasberg’s contempt order against Trump Admin officials.
The three-judge panel included: Pillard (Obama), Katsas (Trump) and Rao (Trump).
Pillard said she would not have issued the administrative stay.
“ORDERED, on the court’s own motion, that the district court’s contempt-related order entered on April 16, 2025, be administratively stayed pending further order of the court. The purpose of this administrative stay is to give the court sufficient opportunity to consider the emergency motion for a stay pending appeal or a writ of mandamus and should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits of that motion,” the appeals court said.
On Wednesday Judge James 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.