A federal appeals court has stepped in to shield the Trump administration from overreach by a district judge. On Friday, a panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a temporary halt to contempt proceedings launched by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg.
The Hill reported that the decision pauses Boasberg’s attempt to hold the Trump administration in contempt over deportation flights to El Salvador on March 15, 2025. This action stems from a broader legal battle over immigration policy and judicial authority.
In March 2025, Boasberg, an Obama appointee, blocked President Trump from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to an El Salvador mega-prison.
His ruling aimed to stop the administration’s immigration enforcement tactics. The Supreme Court later intervened, lifting Boasberg’s order in April 2025.
The Supreme Court’s ruling clarified that migrants must file legal challenges where they are detained, affirming judicial review rights.
Despite this, Boasberg persisted with contempt proceedings, arguing his order held weight before the Supreme Court’s decision. He cited the administration’s refusal to halt the March 15 flights as defiance.
On April 16, 2025, Boasberg found probable cause for contempt, accusing the government of willful disregard for his authority. His stance reflects a broader tension between judicial activism and executive action. The Trump administration appealed, seeking relief from the D.C. Circuit.
The appeals court’s April 18 order grants the administration breathing room. It ensures the court has time to evaluate the government’s appeal without Boasberg’s contempt actions looming. The order explicitly avoids ruling on the appeal’s merits, focusing solely on procedure.
The D.C. Circuit panel split 2-1, with Trump-appointed Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao siding with the administration.
Judge Cornelia Pillard, an Obama appointee, dissented, arguing no basis existed for an administrative stay. Her dissent highlights the ideological divide in judicial interpretations of executive power.
Pillard’s dissent claimed the government lacked a clear right to relief or an appealable order to justify the stay. Yet Katsas and Rao prioritized giving the court sufficient opportunity to review the case. Their decision aligns with conservative principles of restraining judicial overreach.
Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) pushed for an emergency hearing on April 18, 2025, to block a new wave of deportations to El Salvador. Boasberg held the hearing, prompted by the ACLU’s concerns about imminent flights. The ACLU also sought intervention from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
During the hearing, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign clarified that no deportation flights were scheduled through April 19, 2025. However, he noted the government reserved the right to resume removals on that date. This statement underscores the administration’s commitment to immigration enforcement.
Boasberg expressed sympathy for the ACLU’s concerns but declined to act. He acknowledged the Supreme Court’s ruling stripped him of the authority to intervene. His restraint reflects an acceptance of higher judicial guidance, despite his earlier actions.
ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt voiced frustration, stating the group felt stuck without clear government answers. The ACLU’s push for immediate action highlights its aggressive stance against Trump’s deportation policies. Yet Boasberg’s hands were tied by the Supreme Court’s directive.
Boasberg admitted he lacked the power to address the new deportation issue, a rare moment of judicial humility. His comment reflects the shifting legal landscape after the Supreme Court’s intervention. The administration gained a tactical advantage as a result.
The appeals court’s halt on contempt proceedings is a win for the Trump administration’s immigration agenda. It curbs what many conservatives see as judicial overreach by activist judges. The pause allows the D.C. Circuit to deliberate without premature penalties.