Appeals court drops major ruling on judge's Trump admin contempt order

A plan to go forward with contempt proceedings against officials in Donald Trump administration for defying court orders had the plug pulled on it Friday morning.

According to Politico's Kyle Cheney, two of the three judges in the D.C. Circuit Court who signed the decision ruled against US District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg who has been battling with the administration over the forced removal of immigrants without due process.

As Cheney posted on BlueSky, "The D.C. Circuit has vacated Judge Boasberg's contempt order over the Trump administration's decision to deport people under the Alien Enemies Act in defiance of his TRO. Rao (Trump), Katsas (Trump) side against Boasberg Pillard (Obama) dissents."

That makes another win for the president, his Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security after AG Pam Bondi filed an official complaint alleging misconduct by Judge Boasberg at the end of July.

Following the ruling, former federal prosecutor Harry Litman took to social media to express his dismay by writing, "Ugh 2-1 dc circuit-katsas Rao pillars dissents- vacates Boasberg contempt order."

The former prosecutor then added, "Boasberg, the latest public servant, who for his integrity and dedication to duty winds up getting put through the wringer— distorted and even vilified."