Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Justice Department has escalated its conflict with Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg by filing a misconduct complaint alleging he made inappropriate remarks about President Donald Trump. This filing comes amid ongoing controversies regarding the administration’s deportations of Venezuelans, which have drawn significant scrutiny.
The complaint, disclosed by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi via social media, accuses Boasberg of questioning whether the Trump administration would comply with court rulings. The comments reportedly surfaced during a closed meeting of the Judicial Conference, the governing body of the federal judiciary. Boasberg is alleged to have warned that the administration risked sparking a “constitutional crisis” by failing to adhere to judicial orders.
According to the Justice Department, these remarks not only undermined judicial neutrality but also constituted a violation of the judicial code of conduct. The complaint follows Boasberg’s earlier decision to consider contempt charges against the Justice Department, stemming from the administration’s deportation flights to El Salvador, which took place on March 15 despite an active emergency court hearing regarding their legality.
In an April ruling, Boasberg determined that the government acted “in bad faith,” finding sufficient grounds to pursue contempt charges for disregarding his verbal orders to stop the deportations. Although the D.C. Circuit Court subsequently paused the contempt finding, it has yet to make a determination on whether to overturn it.
The Justice Department’s complaint seeks a formal inquiry into Boasberg’s actions, reassigns the deportation case, and even entertaining possible disciplinary measures, which could include a recommendation for impeachment if the claims are substantiated. The Trump administration argues that Boasberg’s order interfered with deportations carried out under wartime authority under the rarely utilized 18th-century Alien Enemies Act.
Boasberg has been overseeing a case brought by Venezuelan gang members contesting their removal to the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador. Earlier this month, negotiations led to the return of more than 250 deported Venezuelans to their home country, which also included the release of ten U.S. citizens and permanent residents detained in Venezuela.
Notably, Trump has called for Boasberg’s impeachment, an appeal that prompted an unusual public defense of judicial independence from Chief Justice John Roberts. The complaint alleges Boasberg allowed his personal views to influence his decisions, citing his order that halted the deportation flights.
Boasberg, who began his judicial career as a federal prosecutor, was first appointed to the D.C. Superior Court by Republican President George W. Bush in 2002 and was later nominated to the federal bench by Democratic President Barack Obama in 2011. He currently serves as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
This ongoing situation raises important questions about the separation of powers and the relationship between the judiciary and the executive branch in politically charged matters.
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