US Appeals Court Blocks Contempt Case Over Trump Deportation Flights

A US federal appeals court has blocked a lower court judge from pursuing contempt proceedings against President Donald Trump’s administration over its decision to proceed with two deportation flights in March 2025. The appeals panel in Washington, DC, ruled that District Judge James Boasberg’s efforts amounted to a “clear abuse of discretion”.

The majority decision, written by Judge Neomi Rao, stated that Boasberg’s order did not explicitly prevent the Trump administration from transferring the immigrants into El Salvador’s custody. The court found that criminal contempt is available only for the violation of an order that is clear and specific.

The case centers on the March 2025 removal of 137 Venezuelan nationals, who were deported to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act. Critics have raised concerns about the use of this law, while lawyers for the immigrants argued their clients’ right to due process was violated. The men were released to Venezuela in July 2025 as part of a prisoner exchange.

The appeals court decision fell along party lines, with two Trump appointees forming the majority and one Biden appointee dissenting. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has stated that the ruling “should finally end Judge Boasberg’s year-long campaign against the hardworking Department attorneys doing their jobs fighting illegal immigration”.

Source: Al Jazeera