The Justice Department filed a formal complaint on Monday, accusing U.S. District Judge James Boasberg of misconduct and demanding that he be removed from a high-profile deportation case and face reprimand.
Boasberg has long faced the ire of President Trump, who at one point called for Boasberg’s impeachment over his handling of the case. But Monday’s letter escalates tensions with Trump’s Justice Department, which newly demands Boasberg be investigated and referred for appropriate discipline.
“Judge Boasberg’s actions have harmed the integrity and public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary,” Justice Department Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle wrote in the five-page complaint, which was obtained by The Hill.
The complaint centers on comments Boasberg reportedly made to fellow judges at a March 11 meeting of the Judicial Conference, the federal judiciary’s policymaking arm.
The Federalist, a conservative outlet, earlier this month reported that Boasberg said he was concerned “that the Administration would disregard rulings of federal courts leading to a constitutional crisis.”
The Justice Department’s new complaint alleges Boasberg, an appointee of former President Obama, violated ethical obligations to promote public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary and refrain from public comments about matters pending in any court.
“These comments have undermined the integrity of the judiciary, and we will not stand for that,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X.
The complaint was sent to Sri Srinivasan, the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Federal law provides that Srinivasan can dismiss the complaint, find that appropriate corrective action has been taken or appoint a committee to pursue further reprimand.
The Hill has requested comment from Boasberg through a court spokesperson.
Boasberg has faced intense backlash from Trump’s allies for his handling of a challenge to the president’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, which Trump first invoked in mid-March to swiftly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to a notorious megaprison in El Salvador.
Days after the Judicial Conference meeting, the judge was assigned the case and swiftly ordered any airborne flights to turn around. The Supreme Court later lifted the ruling, saying the migrants had sued in the wrong venue.
Boasberg has since accused the Trump administration of willfully violating his ruling and moved toward contempt, though an appeals court has for months halted the proceedings.
The Justice Department’s new complaint seeks to immediately take Boasberg off the case as an investigation proceeds. It suggests Boasberg should face a public reprimand or even be recommended for impeachment if the investigation finds “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.
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