WASHINGTON — The Justice Department took a significant step on Friday, asking a D.C. appeals court to halt a contempt investigation against the Trump administration concerning the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. The department is also requesting the removal of Chief Judge James Boasberg from the case, which has become a contentious issue in the ongoing battle between the judiciary and the executive branch.

The Justice Department urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to make a ruling on these matters ahead of a scheduled hearing on Monday. Judge Boasberg, who has claimed the authority to pursue the contempt inquiry, is expected to hear testimony from a former government attorney who filed a whistleblower complaint regarding the Trump administration’s deportation actions.

Department officials argue that Boasberg’s conduct appears biased, creating a scene that endangers the separation of powers and attorney-client privilege.

Boasberg, appointed by former President Obama, suggests the allegations may indicate that the Trump administration acted in bad faith by attempting to expedite deportations against court orders. Meanwhile, Trump administration representatives maintain that there has been no violation of legal directives, stating that the judge’s instructions regarding deportations were not formally documented in written court orders.

As the conflict deepens, the court is set to hear testimonies from multiple key figures, including a deputy assistant attorney general who allegedly communicated the judge’s orders to the Department of Homeland Security. The Justice Department firmly believes this matter should not have escalated and is calling for immediate resolution to prevent further interbranch disputes.