The U.S. judge threatening to begin criminal contempt action against Donald Trump's administration has for years handled high-stakes cases involving sensitive security or political issues, sometimes ruling in the Republican president's favor.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has found the Trump administration in contempt over their refusal to turn two planes around carrying alleged 'gang members' to El Salvador last month. “The Constitution does not tolerate willful disobedience of judicial orders — especially by officials of a coordinate branch who have sworn an oath to uphold it,