The Department of Justice filed a misconduct complaint Monday against federal Judge James Boasberg, accusing him of making improper public comments about President Trump and his administration, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced. Boasberg, chief judge of the U.S. District Court in D.C., has previously clashed with the Trump administration over rulings related to deportations, drawing significant criticism from the White House.
Bondi stated on social media that the judge’s comments have “undermined the integrity of the judiciary” and that the DOJ would not tolerate such behavior. Boasberg became a focal point of tension after he ordered that flights deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members be turned around—a ruling the administration ignored, citing the timing of the order and invoking the Alien Enemies Act. President Trump called for Boasberg’s impeachment, prompting Chief Justice John Roberts to issue a rare statement condemning impeachment as an inappropriate response to judicial disagreement. Despite Boasberg finding probable cause to hold the administration in contempt for defying his order, the D.C. Circuit Court has paused these proceedings, with no final ruling yet issued.