Appeals court halts criminal charges against Trump administration officials over immigration case dispute
In a significant turn of events, the D.C. Circuit Court has granted mandamus relief to the Trump administration, effectively blocking the criminal contempt proceedings against administration officials. The contempt was for violating the orders of U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg, who had issued temporary restraining orders (TROs) prohibiting the government from transferring detainees out of U.S. custody to foreign governments.
The district court had threatened criminal prosecution of government officials who knowingly violated the TROs by allowing detainee transfers. However, on August 12, 2025, the D.C. Circuit Court granted relief, halting the contempt proceedings despite a dissenting opinion. This appellate relief prevents the district court from moving forward with the criminal contempt prosecutions related to violating Boasberg's injunction.
The orders in question were aimed at halting the use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members. Judge Boasberg had vowed to hold accountable officials involved in the matter, but Friday's ruling represents a significant setback for him.
The ruling was issued by a divided federal appeals court on Friday, with two out of the three judges appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term siding with the Justice Department. The dissenting judge was appointed by a different president, President Obama.
The judges supporting the Justice Department were appointed by the same administration as the officials under contempt. This decision wipes away a ruling from Judge Boasberg that he had issued in April, where he stated that probable cause exists to hold administration officials in criminal contempt.
The appeals court had temporarily put Boasberg's plans on hold while it weighed the government's appeal of the ruling. Despite this, the contempt proceedings against Trump administration officials regarding violations of Judge Boasberg's orders related to the Alien Enemies Act have now been blocked and discontinued at the appellate level.
- In a drastic turn of events, the criminal contempt proceedings against Trump administration officials, related to violating Judge Boasberg's orders concerning the Alien Enemies Act, have now been blocked and discontinued at the appellate level.
- This legal issue, involving policy-and-legislation concerning the Alien Enemies Act, has sparked general news interest, as it demonstrates the complexities of politics and the balancing act of judicial checks and balances.
