On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, The Hill reported that Republican Representative Brandon Gill from Texas introduced a resolution to impeach U.S. District Judge James Boasberg. This move follows Boasberg’s recent ruling that ordered the Trump administration to cease the deportation of Venezuelans, whom the administration classified as gang members.
The impeachment effort is aligned with President Donald Trump’s own calls for Boasberg’s removal, as the administration contends that the judge’s ruling undermines legal authority. Specifically, Boasberg’s decision blocked Trump from using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite the deportation process for these migrants, an action the administration argues is necessary for national security.
In a statement made on Tuesday, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts countered claims surrounding Boasberg’s ruling, emphasizing that impeachment should not be viewed as an appropriate response to disagreements with judicial decisions. Roberts stated that the established norm for over two centuries has been to utilize the appellate review process for such disputes.
The article introduced by Gill accuses Boasberg of abusing his judicial power for political purposes and interfering with the executive branch’s constitutional responsibilities. The impeachment resolution asserts that Boasberg attempted to usurp power from the President and disrupt the will of the American populace. It claims that by making a political decision outside his judicial role, Boasberg compromised the integrity of the judiciary and instigated a constitutional crisis.
In a notable aspect of Boasberg’s ruling, he instructed the Trump administration to reverse any flights carrying Venezuelan migrants that had already departed the U.S. However, the White House has faced allegations of ignoring this directive, as it has not turned around any of the flights in question.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt conveyed the administration’s stance on social media platform X, asserting that the judge’s order lacked a legal foundation. She argued that the deportations had already taken place, and federal courts typically do not have jurisdiction over the President’s management of foreign affairs, including actions taken under the Alien Enemies Act.
Gill made additional remarks on X, labeling Boasberg as guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors and asserting that he should be removed from office. However, experts suggest that the likelihood of the impeachment resolution leading to a successful outcome is slim. Even if the resolution were to pass a vote in the House, a conviction in the Senate would require support from a significant number of Democratic senators.
President Trump reiterated his position on Boasberg’s impeachment in a post on Truth Social, condemning the judge and expressing his desire for the removal of what he termed “vicious, violent, and demented criminals” from the country. His statements reflect a broader campaign theme of prioritizing law and order.
Roberts’ public remarks appeared to address the ongoing calls for judicial impeachments, including those from Trump and other Republican officials. He reaffirmed the historical precedent that impeachment should not be the standard response to judicial disagreements, reinforcing the importance of following due process through established legal channels.
The impeachment articles introduced by Gill are part of a broader trend among House Republicans, who have recently filed multiple impeachment resolutions against judges perceived to have obstructed actions taken by the Trump administration. Other Republican representatives, including Eli Crane from Arizona, Andy Ogles from Tennessee, and Andrew Clyde from Georgia, are also leading efforts to impeach judges who have challenged the administration’s directives.
Source: The Hill
