Judge Boasberg finds probable cause for criminal contempt against Trump officials over AEA flights

Chief Judge James Boasberg ruled April 16, 2025 that probable cause existed to hold Trump administration officials in criminal contempt under 18 U.S.C. § 401(3) for defying his March 15 order. He gave the government until April 23 to purge contempt or identify the official who decided not to halt the flights, whom he would refer to prosecutors. The White House immediately announced it would appeal. The D.C. Circuit subsequently blocked the contempt inquiry, citing jurisdiction.