Full D.C. appeals court to review contempt fight over CECOT deportations
What's next: The en banc court set arguments for Sept. 29 in the clash over deportation flights sent to El Salvador despite a judge's order.
The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will hear arguments Sept. 29 over whether a federal judge can pursue a criminal contempt inquiry tied to the Trump administration's deportation of more than 100 Venezuelans to El Salvador's CECOT prison. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg had found probable cause to hold officials in contempt after deportation flights continued in March 2025 despite his temporary restraining order directing the planes to be turned around. A divided appellate panel paused that inquiry in April. The administration had used the Alien Enemies Act, arguing Tren de Aragua was part of an invasion of the United States. The Venezuelans were later released to Venezuela from CECOT in a prisoner swap last July.