A federal appeals court on Tuesday considered whether to allow a contempt investigation into Trump administration officials to proceed, stemming from deportation flights that sent Venezuelans to El Salvador last year.
The inquiry was initiated by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who according to the Washington Examiner is an appointee of former President Barack Obama. Justice Department lawyers argue the judge's investigation is unlawful, according to the Washington Examiner.
Left-leaning outlets reported that the appeals court appeared inclined to let the contempt inquiry move forward, with HuffPost characterizing the panel as ready to let Boasberg investigate officials who defied his order.
The case centers on whether Trump administration officials disregarded a court order related to the deportation flights, though the specific order and its contents were not detailed in available reporting.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Washington Post reported the appeals court signaled support for the contempt inquiry.
- HuffPost reported the court appeared ready to let the judge investigate officials who defied his order.
- Associated Press described the court as weighing the fate of the contempt probe.
“Appeals Court Appears Ready To Let Judge Investigate Trump Officials Who Defied His Order” — HuffPost
Right
- Washington Examiner reported Justice Department lawyers called the investigation 'unlawful.'
- Washington Examiner noted Judge Boasberg is an Obama appointee.
- The Epoch Times framed the hearing as weighing a bid to stop the contempt probe.
“DC Circuit grapples with allowing Boasberg to continue contempt inquiry into Trump officials” — Washington Examiner
Questions readers ask
What happened with the deportation flights contempt case?
A federal appeals court heard arguments on whether U.S. District Judge James Boasberg can proceed with a criminal contempt inquiry into Trump administration officials over deportation flights that sent Venezuelans to El Salvador last year.
Who is James Boasberg?
James Boasberg is the U.S. District Judge who launched the contempt inquiry; he is an appointee of former President Barack Obama, according to the Washington Examiner.
What does the Trump administration argue?
According to the Washington Examiner, Justice Department lawyers allege that Judge Boasberg's contempt investigation is unlawful.
How did coverage differ across the political spectrum?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized that the appeals court appeared ready to let the contempt inquiry proceed, while right-leaning outlets framed the hearing as the court grappling with a bid to stop the probe.
What happens next?
The appeals court's ruling on whether the contempt inquiry can proceed was not yet reported in available sources, making this a developing story.
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaningAppeals court weighs fate of judge's contempt probe over Trump administration deportation flights
- HuffPostLeft-leaningAppeals Court Appears Ready To Let Judge Investigate Trump Officials Who Defied His Order
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningAppeals court signals support for contempt inquiry on deportation flights
- The Epoch TimesRight-leaningAppeals Court Weighs Bid to Stop Contempt Probe of Deportation Flights
- Washington ExaminerRight-leaningDC Circuit grapples with allowing Boasberg to continue contempt inquiry into Trump officials