U.S. District Judge James Boasberg found probable cause to hold President Donald Trump's administration in contempt of court over officials' rush to deport hundreds of people to El Salvador despite an order telling them not to.
In a 46-page ruling on Wednesday, the judge stopped short of deferring officials for prosecution immediately.
"The Court ultimately determines that the Government's actions on that day demonstrate a willful disregard for its Order, sufficient for the Court to conclude that probable cause exists to find the Government in criminal contempt," the ruling said. "The Court does not reach such conclusion lightly or hastily; indeed, it has given Defendants ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions."
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"None of their responses has been satisfactory," he added. "For the foregoing reasons, the Court will find probable cause that Defendants' actions constitute contempt. It will provide them an opportunity to purge such contempt. If they opt not to do so, the Court will proceed to identify the contemnor(s) and refer the matter for prosecution."
If officials cannot purge the contempt finding, they could face fines or imprisonment.