Trump judges block contempt hearings that would punish government officials

A three-judge composed mostly of jurists appointed by Donald Trump blocked ongoing criminal contempt hearings as U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg was considering sanctions after government attorneys violated his order to halt deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.

Last year, Boasberg found there was "probable cause" to find the Trump administration in criminal contempt for defying him by sending a Venezuelan man to the CECOT prison in El Salvador.

In an order on Monday, the panel of three judges — Neomi Rao (Trump), Justin R. Walker (Trump), and J. Michelle Childs (Biden) — ruled that the criminal case could be assigned to a new judge and that Boasberg's contempt hearing must end.

"[T]he district court is directed to terminate its criminal contempt proceedings in this case," the order said.

The Tuesday order also dissolved an administrative stay Boasberg put in place.