Story perspectives

Appeals Court Halts Contempt Inquiry into Trump’s Deportation Flights

4/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

A divided appeals court ordered a federal judge to end his contempt investigation into the Trump administration’s deportation flights to El Salvador.
The court found Chief Judge James Boasberg abused discretion by pursuing criminal contempt over the March 2025 flights.
Rao stated that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has a clear right to terminate these proceedings.
The panel included judges nominated by both Republican and Democratic presidents, highlighting differing judicial perspectives.

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Story summary

A divided appeals court ordered a federal judge to end his contempt investigation into the Trump administration’s deportation flights to El Salvador.
The court found Chief Judge James Boasberg abused discretion by pursuing criminal contempt over the March 2025 flights.
Rao stated that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has a clear right to terminate these proceedings.
The panel included judges nominated by both Republican and Democratic presidents, highlighting differing judicial perspectives.