Justice Department Accuses Judge Boasberg of Misconduct in Deportation Case

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a complaint alleging misconduct against Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg. The complaint, lodged on March 11, 2023, involves Boasberg’s comments made during a judicial conference concerning the legality of deportation flights to El Salvador and other cases related to the Trump Administration.

The complaint was submitted by Chad Mizelle, Chief of Staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi. It alleges that during the conference, Judge Boasberg attempted to influence other judges by expressing his opinion that the Trump Administration would “disregard rulings of federal courts” and could potentially incite “a constitutional crisis.” Mizelle’s five-page letter emphasizes that these comments were made without any factual basis and were inappropriate given the context.

Mizelle highlighted that the conference was closed to the public, which raises questions about transparency. He noted that while Boasberg’s comments were inappropriate even if they were based on fact, they were particularly troubling as there was no evidence to support his claims. Mizelle’s letter was addressed to Sri Srinivasan, Chief Judge of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington.

In the complaint, Mizelle asserts that the Trump Administration has complied with all court orders, contradicting Boasberg’s predictions. He characterized the judge’s statements as “unprecedented predictions” lacking any identifiable breaches of court orders. As of now, Judge Boasberg has not publicly responded to the allegations.

Bondi took to social media platform X to announce the filing of the complaint, stating, “These comments have undermined the integrity of the judiciary, and we will not stand for that.” This reflects the administration’s broader concerns about the judiciary’s independence amidst ongoing legal challenges.

Boasberg is overseeing several significant cases involving the Trump Administration, including those related to the Alien Enemies Act. This act gained attention in mid-March when deportation flights were scheduled to leave the U.S. for El Salvador. During an emergency hearing, Boasberg ordered that any flights already in the air return to the U.S. following the announcement of Trump’s executive order invoking the Alien Enemies Act for deportations.

The complaint underscores Boasberg’s actions, indicating that he issued a temporary restraining order and initiated contempt proceedings under the assumption that the Trump Administration would defy court orders. Mizelle argues that Boasberg’s actions were based on a “false premise” and questioned his ability to maintain an impartial judiciary.

In light of these developments, Mizelle has requested that Judge Srinivasan refer the matter to a special investigative committee. This committee would investigate whether Boasberg’s conduct amounted to actions “prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts.” Additionally, Mizelle has asked for the reassignment of Boasberg’s cases related to the Alien Enemies Act, along with potential disciplinary measures, including a public reprimand and referral for impeachment considerations.

This situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the judiciary and the executive branch, illustrating the complexities involved in high-profile deportation cases and the broader implications for judicial integrity. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on maintaining public confidence in the judicial system’s impartiality and effectiveness.