Overview

• Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has launched proceedings to determine if Trump administration officials should face criminal contempt charges for defying his court order blocking deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.
• The administration conducted removal flights of Venezuelan migrants on March 15 and 16 despite Boasberg's restraining order, which he described as a 'willful disregard' of judicial authority.
• If the Department of Justice chooses not to prosecute, Boasberg has stated he will appoint private counsel to pursue the contempt charges independently.
• Rep. Brandon Gill has filed articles of impeachment against Boasberg, accusing him of overstepping his authority and undermining presidential powers in immigration enforcement.
• Legal scholar Alan Dershowitz has criticized the judge's directives as vague and argued that they could be overturned on appeal, adding to the contentious debate over judicial independence and executive authority.