criminal contempt

Boasberg said last week that he found probable cause for putting administration officials in criminal contempt for not turning the planes around.

There is also the possibility of Trump administration officials being found in criminal contempt - for which the punishment could include jail time.

The White House also found itself facing criminal contempt of court charges when a federal judge said the administration defied his order to turn around planes carrying Venezuelan migrants that were bound for El Salvador.

In his ruling, Boasberg found "probable cause" to begin proceedings on criminal contempt charges.

“If they jail people for criminal contempt, Trump can pardon them and they can get out. But courts can also charge people with civil contempt, which is not a penalty — it's a coercion,” Super said.