The Department of Justice filed an official complaint accusing U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg of misconduct.
The complaint, written by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Chief of Staff, Chad Mizelle, was addressed to Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
“The Department of Justice respectfully submits this complaint alleging misconduct by U.S. District Court Chief Judge James E. Boasberg for making improper public comments about President Donald J. Trump to the Chief Justice of the United States and other federal judges that have undermined the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary,” Mizelle wrote.
Boasberg is overseeing a high-profile case involving deportations of migrants to El Salvador and clashed with the DOJ over his order to turn planes back, which the administration did not follow.
Trump has publicly criticized Boasberg.
The complaint details two incidents, Fox News reported.
On March 11, 2025, Boasberg “attempted to improperly influence Chief Justice Roberts and roughly two dozen other federal judges” by claiming the Trump Administration would “disregard rulings of federal courts” and cause “a constitutional crisis.”
Mizelle said Boasberg had “no basis” for these claims and that the administration “has always complied with all court orders.”
Shortly after, Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order preventing the removal of violent Tren de Aragua gang members, which the Supreme Court later vacated.
The DOJ says Boasberg’s actions “violate Canons of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges” and “erode public confidence in judicial neutrality.”
The complaint asks Judge Srinivasan to refer the case to a special committee to decide if Boasberg’s conduct qualifies as “conduct prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts.”
It also requests Boasberg be removed from the case to preserve public trust during the investigation.
This is the second official complaint filed by Bondi’s DOJ against a federal judge.
In February, the DOJ accused U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes of “misconduct” in a case involving transgender military service bans.
Boasberg drew Trump’s ire after his March 15 emergency order blocking the use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan nationals. Boasberg ordered planes bound for El Salvador to return to the U.S., which did not happen.
The Supreme Court later ruled the rushed deportations violated migrants’ due process rights, deepening the legal battle.
Boasberg was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002 and now faces scrutiny while handling a class action suit involving former CECOT migrants.
Lawyers recently asked the court to reopen discovery based on new allegations about migrant conditions and a prisoner exchange sending migrants from El Salvador to Venezuela.
At a recent hearing, DOJ lawyer Tiberius Davis said they would comply with court orders “if it was a lawful order” and indicated plans to appeal.
In April, Boasberg ruled the court found “probable cause” to hold the Trump administration in contempt for ignoring his order to return the planes, citing “willful disregard.” The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has stayed that ruling pending further action.
