Appeals Court Orders Judge to End Contempt Investigation of Trump Administration Deportation Flights

AP14 Apr 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) —A federal judge must end his “intrusive” contempt investigation of the Trump administrationfor failing to comply with an order turn around planes carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last year,a divided appeals court panel ruled Tuesday.

Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion in forging ahead with criminal contempt proceedingsover the March 2025 deportation flights,according to the majority opinion by a three-judge panelfrom U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

President Donald Trump’s administration has a “clear and indisputable” right to the termination of the contempt proceedings, Circuit Judge Neomi Rao wrote in the court’s majority opinion.

“The legal error at the heart of these criminal contempt proceedings demonstrates why further investigation by the district court is an abuse of discretion,” Rao wrote. “Criminal contempt is available only for the violation of an order that is clear and specific. (Boasberg’s March 2025 order)did not clearly and specifically bar the governmentfrom transferring plaintiffs into Salvadoran custody.”

Rao was nominated by Trump, a Republican. Boasberg, chief judge of the district court in Washington, D.C., was nominated by Democratic President Barack Obama.

On March 15, 2025, two planes transporting Venezuelan migrants from the U.S. to El Salvador were in the air when Boasberg ordered the administration to turn them around.

Administration officials claim Boasberg is biased and overstepped his authority.

Boasberg has said the Trump administrationmay have acted in bad faith by trying to rushVenezuelan migrants out of the country in defiance of his order blocking their deportations to El Salvador. In an April 16, 2025 order, the judge said he gave the administration “ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions” but concluded that “none of their responses has been satisfactory.”

Trump has called for impeaching Boasberg. Last year, the Justice Department filed a misconduct complaint accusing Boasberg of making improper public comments about Trump and his administration. Supreme Court ChiefJustice John Roberts publicly rejected calls for Boasberg’s impeachment.

The case is assigned to Rao and Circuit Judges Justin Walker and J. Michelle Childs. Walker,also a Trump nominee, wrote a separate opinion concurring with Roa’s.Childs, who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, dissented from the majority.

https://www.breitbart.com/news/appeals-court-orders-judge-to-end-contempt-investigation-of-trump-administration-deportation-flights/

>>24500142. Finally! Now kick him off any court! Or send him to traffic court

>>24500117 picking your nose is not a good sign

EXCLUSIVE

Iran negotiators ordered to return after internal rift over Islamabad talks

1 hour ago

Sharp disagreements among members of Iran’s negotiating team led them to abandon US talks in Islamabadand return to Tehran on April 11 following an order from Iran's top security official, sources familiar with the deliberations told Iran International.

The sources said that during Friday’s negotiations with the United States,Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi showed signs of flexibility in some of his positions, particularly regarding reducing orhalting financial and military support for the so-called Axis of Resistance, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

According to the sources, this approach drew a strong reaction from Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, in Tehran.

The sources said Zolghadr, who was briefed on the talks, submitted a report to the leadership and senior IRGC commanders, which fueled anger at the highest levels.The report reportedly cited “deviation from the delegation’s mandate” and engagement in discussions beyond the leadership’s directives.

Following consultations at the leadership level, and with the involvement of Hossein Taeb, an advisor to the supreme leader,an order was issued on Saturday afternoon for the delegation’s immediate return to Tehran, the sources said.

Reports of similar internal rifts had surfaced earlier. On March 28, accounts emerged ofserious disagreements between President Masoud Pezeshkian and IRGC Chief-Commander Ahmad Vahidi.

Informed sources told Iran International that the rifts stemmed from disagreements over the conduct of the warand its impact on livelihoods and the wider economy.

Three days later, reports indicated Pezeshkian was dissatisfied with being in a “complete political deadlock” and had even lost authority over appointing officials killed during the war.

According to those reports, Vahidi had said that due to wartime conditions,all key managerial positions should be directly controlled by the IRGC until further notice.(that’s not good at all)

Despite the diverse composition of Iran’s negotiating delegation in Islamabad, reports suggestrepresentatives aligned with the IRGC held significant influence.

Iran’s insistence oncontinuing its nuclear programand maintainingcontrol over the Straitof Hormuz ultimatelycontributed to the failure of the Islamabad talks, according to reports.

Following the breakdown, the United States announced a naval blockade targeting Iran’s southern ports, with US Central Command saying from Monday morning it would prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports. The blockade was implemented as scheduled.

Despite the failure of the first round of talks, Pakistan said on Monday that consultations with both sides were ongoing and another round of talks remained possible.

US President Donald Trump also told the New York Post on Tuesday that talks with Iran “could resume within two days” in Pakistan.

Sources had earlier told Reuters thatdespite the apparent deadlock, diplomatic channels remain open, with an Iranian embassy official in Pakistan saying the next round of talks could take place later this week or early next week.

(There’s too many bosses in Iran.)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202604149552

Johnson says he’s ‘looking into’ ongoing Cory Mills ethics probe

He also says he believes members will vote to expel fellow Floridian Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

Mia McCarthy 4/14/26

Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he would be “looking into” an ongoing House Ethics investigation into whether Rep. CoryMills (R-Fla.) is guilty of assault and benefiting from federal contracts while in office.

His comments to reporters come amid a broader reckoning in the House over alleged transgressions among members on both sides of the aisle, leading to announcements Monday thatReps. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) would resign after being accused of sexual misconduct.

While Johnson said he was not sure about the current status of the Mills investigation, he was confident the House’s “consensus” would be to soon vote to oust another Florida lawmaker,Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, following findings by the House Ethics Committee thatshe committed myriad campaign finance infractions.(all Dems do that, and probably many reps)

The Ethics panel is due to meet next week to determine whether to recommend aformal punishment, which could be as severe as expulsion. If members ultimately suggest a lesser consequence, Republicans could still force a floor vote on an expulsion resolution, though Democrats could counter with a resolution to expel Mills at the same time. It’s not clear how Republican leadership will proceed.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries separately told reporters Tuesday that the Cherfilus-McCormick ethics probe “is not yet complete” and they will “see what” the panel recommends.

Jeffries also said conversations regarding Swalwell “will stay private.”

https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/04/14/congress/johnson-says-hes-looking-into-ongoing-cory-mills-ethics-probe-00871321

Didn’t Gonzales steal that seat from Kari Lake?

3h ago / 1:52 PM EDT

All parties in Lebanon-Israel talks agree Hezbollah should be fully disarmed

Alexandra Bacallao

The Lebanon-Israel talks had been planned for a month before the U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabadwere confirmed, according to a State Department official.

According to the official, the parties at today's talk were in agreement that Hezbollah should be fully disarmed and that Iran should not be allowed to dictate Lebanon's future anymore.

The State Department approved $58.8 million in new humanitarian programs to help provide lifesaving assistance to displaced Lebanese people, according to a department official. The funding will focus on food, water, shelter and the emergency response needs of the most conflict-affected populations.

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/live-blog/live-updates-trump-blockade-iran-war-hormuz-israel-lebanon-talks-rcna331668#rcrd107963

Did Trump force Bibi to do this before he agreed to Iran?

Visegrád 24

@visegrad24

60 Palestinians found hiding in a garbage truck in an attempt to enter Israel illegally

The driver was detained for questioning, while the suspects were taken into custody by police and the Israel Defense Forces.

11:10 AM · Apr 14, 2026

https://x.com/visegrad24/status/2044070840925372864?s=20

PRESS RELEASE

IU Biology Researcher Pleads Guilty to Smuggling E. coli DNA from China Concealed in Clothing Shipment

Friday, April 10, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS - Youhuang Xiang (“Xiang”), 32, formerly a post-doctoral researcher at Indiana University and a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, has been sentenced to more than four months in prison, a $500 fine, and one year of supervised release, after pleading guilty to smuggling biologic materials into the United States from China. As part of Xiang’s plea agreement with the government, Xiang also stipulated to the entry of a Judicial Order of Removal, which will result in his immediate removal from the United States to the People's Republic of China.

Xiang, who holds a Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, applied for and received a U.S. Non‑Immigrant student (J‑1) visa to perform postdoctoral research in the Department of Biology at Indiana University Bloomington (“IU”), beginning June 12, 2023.

According to court documents, in November 2025 the FBI’s Indianapolis Division began investigating suspicious shipments from China to individuals affiliated with Indiana University. During the investigation, FBI agents determined that Xiang had received a suspicious shipment from China at his Bloomington, Indiana, residence in March of 2024. The package in question originated from Guangzhou Sci‑Tech Innovation Trading, and the shipping manifest declared that the package contained “Underwear of Man-Made Fibers, Other Womens.” Investigators found it unusual that Xiang was purchasing and shipping women’s underwear from China, especially from a company focused on science and technology innovation.

On November 23, 2025, Xiang was interviewed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) officials at Chicago O’Hare International Airport as he returned to the U.S. from a research trip in the United Kingdom. During that interview, Xiang initially denied any knowledge of smuggling but subsequently admitted the shipping manifest for the package he received in March of 2024 was intentionally mislabeled and samples of DNA of E. coli bacteria were concealed in that package to circumvent U.S. law. Based on those admissions, CBP immediately terminated Xiang’s J‑1 visa, and he was arrested by the FBI.

During the sentencing hearing on April 7, 2026, the U.S. District Court also heard that the FBI’s investigation uncovered evidence that Xiang was a member of the Chinese Communist Party (“CCP”), and that Xiang lied about his affiliation with the CCP when questioned by immigration authorities.

“Xiang intentionally exploited his access to laboratory facilities at one of Indiana’s flagship research universities, and the privileges of his J‑1 visa status, to illegally smuggle biological materials into the United States. Conduct like Xiang’s circumvents diligent inspection of potentially harmful substances by CBP, USDA, and those agencies required by law to prevent the introduction of invasive and harmful biologic materials into our country. Such conduct poses a very serious threat to public safety and to the health of our agricultural economy,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Let me be clear: The Customs laws and regulations of the United States exist to protect our borders, our economy, and the citizenry of this Country. They may not be ignored at the whim and folly of scientific researchers and academic institutions. Our office remains firmly committed to working with our exceptional law enforcement partners to protect Hoosiers and defend the United States against such grave national security threats.”

“Those who attempt to secretly bring biological materials into the United States are taking a serious risk with public safety,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “Concealing E. coli to avoid detection shows a clear disregard for the law and for the safety of others. The FBI will not tolerate these actions and will ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

“This Chinese Communist Party member exploited a federally funded research grant from USDA to smuggle dangerous biological material into the United States. The sender lied on the manifest to hide the dangerous nature of the shipment. USDA OIG actively combats the illegal import of biological materials, treating these threats to agricultural security and public safety with the highest investigative priority. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement partners like CBP and FBI against trade fraud and stop the exploitation by foreign adversaries of federal grants administered by USDA,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/iu-biology-researcher-pleads-guilty-smuggling-e-coli-dna-china-concealed-clothing

>>24500444. 4 months and $500 fine, that’s it?

US will use ‘ALL MEANS’ to find Iran’s sea mines: Ex-CENTCOM commander

Retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward discusses how CENTCOM is using underwater drones to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz

3:34

https://youtu.be/OCzcuFe7gsI

'The Five' on who could be posing a problem for Dems…

'The Five' panelists discuss influencer Hasan Piker's comments about the Republican Party and some backlash from Democrats (Why do democrat men sound gay?)

3:54

https://youtu.be/BcoOHqMxIgs

>>24500548 they all do think Swalwell did, they are not powerful they are corrupt

Nolte — Pope Fail: Trump’s Approval Rating with Church-Going Catholics Is 58 Percent

John Nolte14 Apr 2026

Pope Leo XIV’s relentless and 998 on the Orange Bad Manhave failed to damage the president’s standing with church-going Catholics, who give Trump a 58 percent job approval rating.

Oh, and50 percent of Catholics who actually go to church also approve of Trump taking military action against a suicidal terrorist regime in Iran seeking nuclear weapons.

While it’s true Trump has lost support amongst the broad group of those who identify as Catholic, those who actually practice the faith (which means attending church)still support the president by a 58 to 42 percent margin.

That number flips to 42 percent approve, and 58 percent disapprove among those Catholics who never or rarely attend Mass.

Is the Podcaster Pope making the same mistake disgraced former Lucasfilm presidentKathleen Kennedy did with Star Wars?

It might seem an odd comparison, but hear me out…

In pursuit of women and gays,Kennedy feminized and queered Star Wars. You see, Kennedy stupidly and arrogantly believed thatby pandering to women and gays, she would expand the fanbase. Instead, she lost the Star Wars loyalists in such large numbers that 1) any added women and gay fans couldn’t come close to making up the difference, and 2)Kennedy ended up resigning in disgrace.

Kennedy’s arrogance was in thebelief that loyal Star Wars fans were so mindless they would keep showing up no matter how much she insultedthem and turned the franchise they’d loved for decades into something unrecognizable.

Maybe Pope Leo believes he can do what Kennedy couldn’t?Leo’s baseless, knee-jerk, and morally confused attacks on Trumpmake me wonder if his plan is to expand the Catholic Church “fanbase” with Trump hatersunder the mistaken belief that the already loyal Catholic fanbase, those who support Trump and actually show up every week, won’t become disillusioned with this guy and drift away.

Another comparison…

What Kennedy did to Star Wars was indefensible. Sure, she hid behind the good intentions of “a more inclusive fan base” (funny how male-skewing genres are required to attract women, but female-skewing genres are never required to appeal to us guys). Still, her truegoal was a narcissistic desireto turn Star Warsinto what she wanted Star Wars to be. She hated the Star Wars fanbase and sought to alienate them.

Pope Leo’s behavior is equally indefensible. He hides behind the good intentions of peace and understanding blah, blah, blah…But all I see is a mindless partisan meddling in domestic politics, whereas he should be out saving souls. He’s become divisive and looks like Barack Obama’s puppet by way of David Axelrod.

Both failed in what should’ve been their primary duties. Kennedy’s job was to deliver great Star Warsmovies. Pope Leo’s job is to appeal to all people as a means to save their souls. Instead, the Podcaster Pope is alienating practicing Catholics.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/04/14/nolte-pope-fail-trumps-approval-rating-with-church-going-catholics-is-58-percent/

New Jersey Mass Transit Plans to Hike Tickets to MetLife Stadium 775% During World Cup

Warner Todd Huston14 Apr 2026

New Jersey’s state train system, NJ Transit, is planning to hike its train fares from New York’s Penn Station to East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium a whopping 775 percent during the coming World Cup, according to reports.

MetLife Stadium is scheduled to host eight FIFA World Cup games,but officials are ready to charge New Yorkers and soccer enthusiasts $100 per ticket, the New York Post reports.

Tickets to travel from Penn Station to MetLife are usually only $12.90 per person, but NJ Transit officials see an opportunity to rake in the cash for the Cup games.

An NJ Transit official told the media that ticket prices are not yet set.

“The ticket prices for match day travel have not been finalized, and any reference to cost would be unconfirmed speculation,” an NJ Transit statement read. “However, as the governor clearly stated at an earlier press conference this morning with NJ Transit, the cost for the eight matches will not be borne by our regular commuters.”

Still, New Jersey Democrats have their hungry eyes on soccer fans’ wallets.

Democrat Gov. Mikie Sherrill had insisted that the state of New Jersey would not somehow be forced to foot the bill for the heightened traffic the games would create.

“We are not going to be paying for moving the people who are viewing the World Cup on the back of New Jersey taxpayers and New Jersey commuters,” she insisted on Monday.

But sensing a massive financial windfall, Sherrill has also suggested that she supports raising the state’s sales tax to 9.6 percent ahead of the games and wants to put a 2.5 percent surcharge on hotels, more taxes on betting, and a new tax on Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies to further bleed World Cup visitors.

Clearly, Gov. Sherrill and her Democrat cohorts see the World Cup as just another cash cow that they can milk dry.

https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2026/04/14/new-jersey-mass-transit-plans-to-hike-tickets-to-metlife-stadium-775-during-world-cup/

Sen. Jim Banks Blocks Bob Mueller Resolution, ‘Clear Political Potshot’ Against Trump

Bradley Jaye14 Apr 2026

Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) blocked a resolution honoring Robert Mueller Tuesday,accusing Democrats of neglecting issues like funding the government to instead resurrect the Russia collusion hoax.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) attempted to pass the resolution by unanimous consent,but Banks objected, stating Democrats should instead work to fund the Department of Homeland Security — which has been shut down for 59 days and counting — ensure TSA agents are paid, and protect election integrity by passing the SAVE America Act.

“This resolution adds fuel to a fire that really burned out a long time ago,” Banks said from the Senate floor. “It’s just another political hit job at President [Donald] Trump, and I’m not going to go along with it today.”

A former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director, Mueller died in March at 81.

But he became best known for his role as special counsel into the Russia collusion hoax investigation regarding Russia allegedly interfering in the 2016 presidential election between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and now-President Trump.

Accusing Democrats of “bringing, yet again, another resolution that’s a clear political pot shot against President Trump,” Banks objected to Durbin’s efforts to pass the resolution without a full Senate vote.

“Democrats are more interested today in rehashing their failed attempt to delegitimize the 2016 election a decade ago than in bettering our great country,” he said, insisting that “the reputation of Robert Mueller is a mixed bag, and the end result of the Mueller investigation that [Durbin] just talked about was a farce.”

Banks continued:

What’s always remained constant is that Democrats just can’t accept that Donald Trump won the election in 2016 fair and square. Ten years after that historic victory, Democrats are still complaining about it and advancing their Russian collusion hoax. Democrats know that the Russian collusion hoax was their attempt to undermine President Trump. They knew, and they know now that it’s been debunked time and time again.

The Mueller investigation was meant to stop President Trump and derail his agenda that he was elected by the American people to advance in 2016, and it was very costly to the American people and to this great country. Robert Mueller will always be intertwined with the Russian collusion hoax that greatly damaged this country.

Durbin, seeming to anticipate Republican opposition, stressed that Mueller was “a lifelong Republican, a lifelong Republican,” noting Mueller was praised by Republican President George W. Bush — neglecting to mention Bush himself is notorious for opposing Trump and his America First agenda.

“While my colleagues and I have spent many years debating the merits of the Mueller report, his work on Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, and throughout his time at DOJ, DOJ and FBI demonstrate true character, hard work, courage, honesty, professionalism and a dedication to our Constitution,” Durbin said.

Banks wasn’t buying it.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/04/14/sen-jim-banks-blocks-bob-mueller-resolution-clear-political-potshot-against-trump/

Senator Warren Accuses Amazon MGM Studios of ‘Bribery’ Buying ‘Melania’ Documentary

Warner Todd Huston13 Apr 2026

(Doesn’t she have a day job as a lawmaker. She’s jealous of beauty)

Massachusetts Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren is accusing Amazon MGM Studios of “bribery in plain sight” for investing in the Melania documentary, despite remaining quite as media outlet after media outlet handed the Obama’s hundreds of millions for their film and podcast projects.

Last year, the studio paid out $40 million to acquire Melania, the documentary about the first lady’s journey to her husband’s second inauguration. The studio paid another $35 million to market the film.

Warren, who has taken massive criticism for falsely claiming to have Native American heritage when she was a law professor at Harvard, ripped MGM for what she calls a “corrupt pay-to-play arrangement with the Trump administration,” according to Variety.

“If there’s nothing corrupt about this deal and the bidding process was truly ‘competitive,’ why won’t Amazon explain why it reportedly paid three times as much as the next highest bidder?” Warren exclaimed. “The logical explanation is that Amazon is trying to buy the President’s favor by dumping millions into the Trump family’s pockets.This looks like bribery in plain sight, and Amazon must give Congress — and the American people — answers now.”

Warren was joined in her demands by __Democrat Georgia Rep. Hank Johnson, who years ago worried that the island of Guam would tip over if too many people were to visit there___.

“The fact that Amazon is seeking favorable treatment from the Trump Administration while paying a far-above-market sum to produce and promote the Trump family’s film raises questions about Amazon’s exposure under federal anti-bribery law,” Johnson added. “The American people deserve assurance that powerful corporations are not using their financial resources to gain political influence or favorable treatment at public expense — and that these corporations are not violating federal bribery laws.”

Johnson and Warren are demanding that Amazon explain its decision to invest in the film about the first lady.

For its part, the studio rejects Warren’s accusation.

“We disagree with any suggestion that Amazon’s decision to license this film and accompanying series was improper. We regularly release documentaries that offer unique perspectives on cultural and historical figures across the political spectrum,” the studio said in a statement.

“Amazon MGM Studios became the licensor of the film and accompanying series following a thorough and competitive bidding process. ‘Melania’ gave us the opportunity to tell a story that’s never been told before, with unprecedented access to a historic presidential transition through the perspective of the First Lady. Our decision was based on the film and series itself — the access, the story, and its cultural and historical relevance,” the company added.

Last year, the studio said, “We licensed the film for one reason and one reason only — because we think customers are going to love it.”

The film debuted as the number one film on Amazon Prime in March.

After debuting in theaters across the country in late January, becoming the biggest box office opening for a documentary in over a decade, Melania moved to Amazon Prime.

https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/04/13/senator-warren-accuses-amazon-mgm-studios-of-bribery-buying-melania-documentary/

>>24500724. Notable