Read: DOJ files misconduct complaint against federal judge
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U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg. Photo: Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Department of Justice filed a misconduct complaint against federal Judge James Boasberg "for making improper public comments about President Trump and his Administration," Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Monday.
The big picture: The D.C.-based U.S. District Court chief judge has previously angered the Trump administration with his rulings on deportations.
- Boasberg has been the target of an impeachment effort by Trump and House Republicans after the George W. Bush-appointed judge questioned the administration's decision to disregard an order against the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelans.
Driving the news: Bondi said on X that she had directed the DOJ to take the action because the judge's comments "have undermined the integrity of the judiciary, and we will not stand for that."
- The complaint alleges that Boasberg said during a March judicial conference that the Trump administration would "disregard rulings of federal courts" and trigger "a constitutional crisis."
- Representatives for Boasberg's chambers did not immediately respond to Axios' Monday night phone message seeking comment on the matter.
Catch up quick: Boasberg raised the ire of the administration in March when he ordered that flights deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members should turn around.
- The White House said it ignored the judge's order because it was issued after the flights had already departed and left U.S. jurisdiction.
- The Trump administration defended its decision to follow through with the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th century war time law.
- The president said Boasberg "should be IMPEACHED" over the matter — prompting Chief Justice John Roberts to issue a rare statement saying that impeaching a federal judge is "not an appropriate response" to disagreeing with a ruling.
Meanwhile, Boasberg said in April that he found probable cause to hold the administration in contempt for defying his order.
- However, the D.C. Circuit Court paused these proceedings. It has yet to rule on the matter, Reuters notes.
Read the complaint in full, via DocumentCloud:
Go deeper: Trump administration escalates attacks on judges
Editor's note: This article has been updated with more details from the complaint and to include a copy of it.
