Manila, April 17 -- A US federal judge found probable cause Wednesday to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for defying an order to halt deportation flights to El Salvador.

District Judge James Boasberg wrote in his 46-page decision that "the Government's actions on that day illustrate a willful disregard for its Order," describing the conduct as a "deliberate disregard" for the court's directive.

"The Court does not reach such conclusion lightly or hastily; indeed, it has given defendants ample opportunity to rectify or explain their actions. None of their responses has been satisfactory," he added.

"The Constitution does not permit willful disobedience of judicial orders-especially by officials of a coordinate branch ...