Trump Calls for Judge’s Impeachment Over Deportation Ruling
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his battle with the judiciary, calling for the impeachment of a federal judge who halted deportation flights of alleged undocumented migrants.
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED.”
While the White House has previously criticized federal courts for blocking executive orders, this marks the first time Trump has personally called for a judge’s removal since taking office.
Legal and Political Fallout
Federal judges hold lifetime appointments, and impeachment is rare. The last time Congress removed a judge was in 2010. However, shortly after Trump’s post, Republican lawmaker Brandon Gill announced plans to introduce articles of impeachment against the judge.
At the center of this legal clash is District Judge James Boasberg, who ordered a suspension of deportation flights carrying alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela. The Biden administration had used the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify the deportations, but no public evidence confirmed that the individuals were gang members or undocumented.
Justice Department lawyers argued that Boasberg no longer had jurisdiction once the planes left U.S. airspace, while the judge considered whether the White House had deliberately ignored his ruling.
Trump’s Response and Political Implications
Trump has a long history of attacking judges overseeing his legal battles. In his post, he labeled Boasberg a “Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge” and accused him of overstepping his authority.
“I WON FOR MANY REASONS, IN AN OVERWHELMING MANDATE, BUT FIGHTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MAY HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR THIS HISTORIC VICTORY,” Trump added.
Boasberg, a Yale graduate, was initially appointed to the DC Superior Court by Republican George W. Bush before being nominated to the federal bench by Democrat Barack Obama.
Judicial Concerns Over Executive Power
The White House has repeatedly pushed back against court rulings it opposes, such as those blocking Trump’s attempts to end birthright citizenship. This growing clash between the executive branch and the judiciary has sparked concerns about a potential constitutional crisis.
Even Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a warning in December, emphasizing that disregarding court rulings poses a serious threat to democracy.
“Elected officials from across the political spectrum have raised the specter of open disregard for federal court rulings,” Roberts wrote. “These dangerous suggestions, however sporadic, must be soundly rejected.”
