Trump’s govt escalates war with US courts, files complaint against Judge Boasberg

The Trump administration has intensified criticism of federal judges who have blocked its policies, now targeting James Boasberg, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Monday that her office filed a misconduct complaint against Boasberg over remarks he allegedly made during a March meeting of federal judges, which included Supreme Court Chief Justice, John Roberts.

“These comments have undermined the integrity of the judiciary, and we will not stand for that,” Bondi posted on X.

According to the complaint obtained by POLITICO and signed by Bondi’s chief of staff, Chad Mizelle, Boasberg “attempted to improperly influence” Roberts and other judges by suggesting that the Trump administration might “disregard rulings of federal courts” and trigger “a constitutional crisis.”

Shortly after those comments, Boasberg, appointed by former President Obama, blocked the administration’s effort to deport hundreds of Venezuelan nationals to a prison in El Salvador, ruling that the deportations violated due process.

Despite his order, most of the individuals were flown to El Salvador, which Boasberg indicated directly violated his decision.

Later, the Supreme Court overturned Boasberg’s order, ruling the Venezuelan men should have filed their claims in Texas, where they were detained before deportation.

Mizelle said Boasberg’s remarks at the meeting violated the “presumption of regularity” usually granted to the Executive Branch. He also stated the administration has complied with all court orders, even as some lower courts have said otherwise.

Boasberg allegedly made his remarks during the March 11 meeting of the Judicial Conference of the U.S., a closed-door gathering of 27 members that includes the chief judges of each circuit and a district judge from each circuit. Chief Justice Roberts presides over the conference.

His remarks came amid growing calls from Trump supporters, both in and out of government, to impeach judges who ruled against the president or to ignore court orders. Judges, including some from the Supreme Court, have publicly stressed the need for officials to respect judicial decisions, regardless of which court or judge issued them.

After the conference, 6th Circuit Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton told reporters that lawmakers including Sens. Susan Collins, Dick Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Reps.

Steny Hoyer, Jamie Raskin, and Hank Johnson were also present, though it’s unclear whether they heard Boasberg speak.

Boasberg’s office has not commented on the complaint.

The matter is now with Sri Srinivasan, chief judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, who handles judicial conduct issues in that circuit. Judges are typically prohibited from making public comments about pending cases, but it’s unclear whether Boasberg’s comments fall under that rule or if he was referring to any specific case.

The complaint also claims that Boasberg’s remarks damaged “public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary.”

Earlier this year, Mizelle filed a similar complaint against U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, also based in Washington, over her criticism of the Justice Department’s arguments in a case related to the Trump administration’s transgender military ban.

In March, the Justice Department asked the D.C. Circuit to remove Boasberg from the deportation case. Although the court didn’t rule on the request, it has paused proceedings related to potential contempt issues. Following Boasberg’s decision, Trump called for his impeachment, calling him a “troublemaker and agitator.”

The new complaint again asks for Boasberg to be taken off the case and publicly reprimanded. It also suggests that other judges could consider impeachment over his remarks.

Meanwhile, the administration has taken aim at the judiciary in two other instances: it has sued the entire federal bench in Maryland over a deportation hold policy, and criticised judges in New Jersey over the appointment of a U.S. attorney, a move seen as opposing Trump’s preferred nominee, Alina Habba.

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