D.C. Circuit hears arguments on whether Judge Boasberg can continue contempt inquiry into Trump officials
The full D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on September 29, 2026, over whether U.S. District Judge James Boasberg may proceed with a criminal contempt inquiry into Trump administration officials over deportations of Venezuelans to El Salvador. Justice Department lawyers argued the inquiry is unlawful and that judges cannot investigate crimes. A majority of the appellate panel appeared inclined to allow the inquiry to continue, though no ruling or timeline was announced.
11
Divergence score
2 outlets covered it, splitting into 2 framing camps across 2 bias groups.
2 camps
2 bias groups
The spectrum · how 2 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
Washington Examiner
Politico
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
First to report
- Politicofirst
- Washington Examiner+1.9 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
The split, in one line
Both outlets agree the court leans toward allowing the probe; the Examiner emphasizes DOJ's separation-of-powers argument while Politico leads with the court's apparent inclination to let Boasberg proceed.
How each outlet covered it
Lightly covered so far
Too few outlets to map a left-right split. Here is each take as it stands.
Sparse coverage · 2 outlets
“Appeals court seems likely to let Boasberg's contempt probe continue”
“DC Circuit grapples with allowing Boasberg to continue contempt inquiry into Trump officials”
6 tracked claims across 2 outlets
Fact ledger
All6Claimed4Corroborated2
1/2
Claimed
DOJ lawyer Brett Shumate argued Boasberg's inquiry is unlawful and that district judges cannot investigate or prosecute crimes.
Corroborated
Disputed
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