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

Judicial Actions Under Scrutiny

Following the private meeting, Boasberg took several actions that the Justice Department characterizes as evidence of his predetermined bias against the Trump administration. In April, he issued an order stating there was “probable cause” to find the Trump administration in criminal contempt of court for violating his directive to turn deportation flights around.

The judge concluded that the administration had acted “in bad faith” when it assembled the deportation flights while he was conducting emergency proceedings. This finding of bad faith, the Justice Department argues, demonstrates that Boasberg had prejudged the administration’s intentions and was acting on the beliefs he had expressed in his private communications with other judges.

The Justice Department’s complaint specifically alleges that Boasberg’s comments and subsequent actions “eroded public confidence in judicial neutrality and ran afoul of the judicial code of conduct.” The complaint accuses him of blocking the president from using legitimate wartime powers to deport Venezuelan migrants based on political rather than legal considerations.