Justice Department Files Misconduct Complaint Against Federal Judge Over Trump Deportation Case

Judge Boasberg, who was appointed to the D.C. Superior Court by Republican President George W. Bush in 2002 and elevated to the U.S. District Court by President Barack Obama in 2011, found himself at the center of a constitutional maelstrom. His handling of the case has now prompted the Justice Department to take the extraordinary step of filing a formal misconduct complaint.

The Private Meeting That Sparked Controversy

The Justice Department’s complaint, reviewed by USA Herald, focuses heavily on comments Boasberg made during a private meeting of the judiciary’s top policymaking body in March. This meeting, attended by Chief U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, has become the focal point of allegations that Boasberg crossed ethical boundaries.

According to the complaint filed by Justice Department Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle, Boasberg spoke privately with Roberts and other judicial leaders to allegedly express his concern that the Trump administration would disregard court rulings and potentially trigger “a constitutional crisis.” The Justice Department argues these private communications constituted an improper attempt to influence other judges and predispose them against the administration.