By Steve Neavling
The Justice Department is calling for the removal and possible reprimand of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, accusing him of ethical violations tied to comments he allegedly made about a high-profile deportation case.
In a formal complaint sent Monday to Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, DOJ Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle alleged that Boasberg undermined public trust in the judiciary, The Hill reports.
“Judge Boasberg’s actions have harmed the integrity and public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary,” Mizelle wrote in the five-page letter obtained by The Hill.
The complaint focuses on remarks Boasberg allegedly made during a March 11 meeting of the Judicial Conference, the federal judiciary’s main policymaking body. According to The Federalist, Boasberg expressed concerns that the Trump administration might ignore federal court rulings, potentially triggering a constitutional crisis.
Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed that sentiment on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “These comments have undermined the integrity of the judiciary, and we will not stand for that.”
Boasberg, appointed by former President Barack Obama, has been sharply criticized by Trump and his allies for temporarily halting deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. The case involves the president’s effort to expel Venezuelan nationals accused of gang ties by sending them to a controversial megaprison in El Salvador.
After being assigned the case shortly after the Judicial Conference meeting, Boasberg ordered any deportation flights to turn back. That ruling was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, which found the plaintiffs had filed in the wrong jurisdiction.
Boasberg has since accused the administration of violating his order and began moving toward a contempt finding. Those proceedings have been paused by an appellate court.
The Justice Department is urging that Boasberg be removed from the case while an investigation plays out. The complaint also raises the possibility of a public reprimand or impeachment referral if investigators determine that Boasberg committed “willful misconduct.”
“Swift, visible action will reinforce the judiciary’s institutional integrity by showing that judges are held to the same standards they enforce and deter comparable misconduct,” Mizelle wrote.
Judge Boasberg has not responded publicly.
