‘Will not stand for that’: Speaking truth is the real crime as Donald Trump goes after chief judge for calling out a ‘constitutional crisis’

The Trump administration has taken new action against James Boasberg, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., by filing a misconduct complaint. This move marks another step in the administration’s ongoing conflict with federal judges who have blocked President Donald Trump’s priorities.

According to Politico, Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has faced scrutiny over her controversial past, filed the complaint following comments Boasberg reportedly made during a March meeting of judges, which Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts attended. The comments were recently reported by right-leaning news outlets.

“These comments have undermined the integrity of the judiciary, and we will not stand for that,’ Bondi wrote on X, showing her continued loyalty to Trump despite their potentially illegal financial relationship. According to the complaint, signed by her chief of staff Chad Mizelle, Boasberg tried to improperly influence Roberts and other judges by suggesting the Trump administration might ignore federal court rulings and cause a constitutional crisis.

The deportation case stands at the center of controversy

Days after making these alleged remarks, Boasberg, who was appointed by Obama, blocked the administration’s attempts to deport hundreds of Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador. Despite his order, the administration proceeded with most of the deportations, an action Boasberg suggested clearly went against his ruling.

The Supreme Court later overturned Boasberg’s order, stating that the Venezuelan men should have filed their lawsuits in Texas, where they were originally held before deportation. Mizelle argued that Boasberg’s conference comments went against the usual respect courts give to the Executive Branch.

The comments were made at the Judicial Conference of the U.S., a closed-door meeting that happens twice a year. The conference, led by Roberts, includes 27 members, consisting of chief judges from each judicial circuit and district judges. Several lawmakers were present, including Senators Susan Collins, Dick Durbin, and Sheldon Whitehouse.

The complaint has been given to Sri Srinivasan, the chief judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, who handles judicial discipline matters in that circuit. The administration is asking for Boasberg to be removed from the deportation case and to receive a public reprimand. They also suggest his fellow judges might consider calling for his impeachment over the remarks.

This action is part of a larger pattern of conflict between the Trump administration and the judiciary. The Justice Department has recently sued the entire federal bench in Maryland over a deportation policy and publicly criticized judges in New Jersey regarding a U.S. attorney appointment dispute.