The Department of Justice has lodged an official misconduct complaint against Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg. The action stems from comments he allegedly made at a March judicial conference, suggesting the Trump administration might disregard court rulings and spark a constitutional crisis.
The DOJ, acting under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s direction, submitted the complaint to the D.C. Circuit’s chief judge. It accuses Boasberg of breaching judicial ethics by attempting to influence judges— including Chief Justice Roberts—in a setting intended for administrative discussions, not political commentary. The complaint includes a request to remove Boasberg from a high-stakes immigration case, citing concerns about impartiality.
Boasberg previously issued an injunction blocking enforcement of the Alien Enemies Act in a deportation case, a move that triggered widespread attention and criticism. President Trump had publicly labeled Boasberg a “radical” and called for his impeachment—a response mirrored by the DOJ’s formal complaint, signaling a significant escalation in the ongoing tension between the judiciary and executive branch.