The Department of Justice (DOJ), at the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi, has filed a formal misconduct complaint against Chief Judge James E. Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaint, filed on Monday, July 28, 2025, escalates an already tense conflict between the Trump administration and the federal judiciary over a high-profile deportation case.
The five-page letter, written by Bondi’s Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle and addressed to Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, alleges that Boasberg made improper comments that compromised his impartiality. The central accusation stems from a private Judicial Conference meeting on March 11, 2025. According to the complaint, Judge Boasberg strayed from administrative topics to express his belief that the Trump administration would “disregard rulings of federal courts” and precipitate “a constitutional crisis.”
The DOJ filing argues these remarks were inappropriate and baseless, stating, “the Trump Administration has always complied with all court orders.” The complaint contends that Judge Boasberg’s alleged comments and subsequent actions “erode public confidence in judicial neutrality” and warrant a formal investigation.
This dispute is rooted in the case J.G.G. v. Trump, over which Judge Boasberg is presiding. The lawsuit challenges the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport hundreds of Venezuelan nationals, alleged to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang, to El Salvador. On March 15, 2025, Judge Boasberg issued an emergency temporary restraining order to halt the removals and verbally ordered that planes already in the air be returned to the United States. The administration did not turn the planes around, later arguing in court that the judge’s verbal order was not lawfully enforceable, particularly as the aircraft were in international airspace.
In April, Judge Boasberg found “probable cause” to hold the administration in criminal contempt for what he described as a “willful disregard” for his order. That contempt process was later paused by an appeals court. The DOJ’s complaint argues that the judge’s actions in the case were a direct result of his preconceived beliefs. “Having assumed President Trump would defy court orders, Judge Boasberg issued a [temporary restraining order] and threatened sanctions—all on a false premise,” the complaint states.
The Justice Department has asked Chief Judge Srinivasan to refer the matter to a special investigative committee and to reassign the deportation case to a different judge. The filing also suggests potential disciplinary actions, including a public reprimand or a referral for impeachment consideration if willful misconduct is found.
The complaint has drawn significant attention, representing a direct confrontation between the executive and judicial branches. President Trump has personally criticized Judge Boasberg on social media, calling for his impeachment. This prompted a rare public statement from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who noted, “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.”
Judge Boasberg, 62, has had a long and distinguished career. A native Washingtonian and Yale Law School graduate, he was appointed as an Associate Judge of the D.C. Superior Court by President George W. Bush in 2002. In 2011, he was nominated to the federal bench by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in a 96-0 vote. He became Chief Judge of the D.C. District Court in March 2023 and has also served on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court after being appointed by Chief Justice Roberts.
This is the second time the Bondi-led Justice Department has filed a misconduct complaint against a D.C. federal judge. In February, a similar complaint was filed against Judge Ana Reyes over her conduct in a case concerning the administration’s policy on transgender military service. The D.C. Circuit has not yet acted on that complaint.
