In a major legal win for the Trump Administration, a federal appeals court has thrown out Judge James Boasberg’s contempt push over deportations carried out under the Alien Enemies Act — a move that targeted dangerous Venezuelan gang members.
On Friday, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that the government had met “the stringent requirements for a writ of mandamus” and granted the petition. The court’s decision vacated Boasberg’s “probable-cause order,” effectively nullifying his effort to hold the administration in criminal contempt.
The panel split along clear political lines. Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao, both appointed by President Trump, formed the majority. Judge Cornelia Pillard, an Obama appointee, dissented.
