U.S. Justice Department Files Misconduct Complaint Against Judge James Boasberg Amid Deportation Dispute

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a misconduct complaint against Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, a high-profile Washington, D.C. judge criticized by President Donald Trump. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the complaint on X, citing remarks Boasberg allegedly made during a March judiciary meeting attended by Chief Justice John Roberts.

According to The Federalist, Boasberg expressed concerns that the Trump administration might ignore court rulings, potentially sparking a “constitutional crisis.” The Justice Department argues such statements undermine judicial neutrality and influenced Boasberg’s later decision to block Trump from invoking wartime powers to deport Venezuelan migrants.

The controversy stems from a lawsuit challenging the March 15 deportation of Venezuelans to a Salvadoran prison. Boasberg previously found the administration acted “in bad faith” by organizing three expedited deportation flights during ongoing emergency court proceedings. In April, he ruled there was “probable cause” to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for violating his order to halt the flights, though the D.C. Circuit later stayed that finding.

Justice Department Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle filed the complaint with Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan of the D.C. Circuit, requesting an investigative committee and reassignment of the deportation case. Boasberg’s chambers have not commented.

Appointed to the D.C. Superior Court by President George W. Bush in 2002 and later to the U.S. District Court by President Barack Obama in 2011, Boasberg is currently presiding over the case involving Venezuelan nationals accused of gang affiliations under the rarely used Alien Enemies Act. The appeals court has yet to issue a final ruling.

This case highlights escalating tensions between the Justice Department and the judiciary amid politically sensitive deportation policies.