The Department of Justice (DOJ) has lodged an official misconduct complaint against U.S. District Court Chief Judge James E. Boasberg. The complaint, penned by Attorney General Pam Bondi's Chief of Staff, Chad Mizelle, was directed to Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
In the detailed complaint, Mizelle stated, “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.”
The allegations arise amid a high-profile case that Judge Boasberg is overseeing, which involves the deportations of migrants to El Salvador. The case has seen a clash between the DOJ and Boasberg, particularly over his order to turn planes carrying deportees back—a directive the Trump administration did not obey. This action, among others, has drawn public criticism from President Trump.
Fox News reported that the complaint details two incidents of misconduct. On March 11, 2025, Boasberg allegedly attempted to influence Chief Justice John Roberts and about two dozen other federal judges by asserting that the Trump Administration would "disregard rulings of federal courts" and potentially cause "a constitutional crisis." Mizelle argued that Boasberg had "no basis" for these claims and emphasized that the administration "has always complied with all court orders."
Following these events, Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the removal of members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang, a decision which the Supreme Court later vacated.
The DOJ contends that Boasberg's actions and statements "violate Canons of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges" and that they "erode public confidence in judicial neutrality." The complaint urges Judge Srinivasan to refer the matter to a special committee to determine if Boasberg's conduct constitutes "conduct prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts" and requests Boasberg's removal from the case to maintain public trust during the investigation.
This is the second official complaint filed by Bondi's DOJ against a federal judge. Previously, in February, the DOJ accused U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes of "misconduct" in a case related to transgender military service bans.
The scrutiny of Boasberg, who was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002, intensifies as he handles a class action lawsuit involving former CECOT migrants. Recently, lawyers requested the court to reopen discovery based on new allegations regarding migrant conditions and a prisoner exchange sending migrants from El Salvador to Venezuela.
At a recent hearing, DOJ lawyer Tiberius Davis stated that they would comply with court orders "if it was a lawful order," hinting at plans to appeal. In April, Boasberg ruled that there was "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.
