Trump Calls for Impeaching Judge Who Blocked His Deportation Plan

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Trump Calls for Impeaching Judge Who Blocked His Deportation Plan/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, who blocked his mass deportation order under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Trump accused Boasberg of being a “troublemaker” and argued that the judge was interfering with the will of the voters. This marks an escalation in Trump’s ongoing clashes with the judiciary, as Republican lawmakers consider impeachment efforts against multiple judges.

In this photo provided by El Salvador’s presidential press office, a prison guard transfers deportees from the U.S., alleged to be Venezuelan gang members, to the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (El Salvador presidential press office via AP)

Trump Calls for Impeaching Judge Who Blocked His Deportation Plan: Quick Looks

Trump’s Demand: President Donald Trump called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg after the judge halted deportation flights under a centuries-old wartime law.
Deportation Controversy: The judge ruled against Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which the administration invoked to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members.
White House Defends Deportations: The Trump administration ignored Boasberg’s verbal order to return two flights carrying deportees to El Salvador, arguing the written ruling was unclear.
Growing Judicial Conflict: Trump accused the judiciary of blocking his mandate on immigration, calling Boasberg an “agitator” and urging Republican lawmakers to push for impeachment.
Rare Impeachment Calls: Only 15 judges have ever been impeached in U.S. history, with just eight removed from office.
Congressional Reaction: Some House Republicans have indicated they will introduce articles of impeachment against Boasberg, adding to growing tensions between the executive and judicial branches.

Trump Pushes for Impeachment of Federal Judge Over Deportation Ruling

Trump Escalates Clash with Judiciary

President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, who recently blocked mass deportation flights under a rarely used 18th-century law. The move marks a significant escalation in Trump’s ongoing battles with the judicial system, which has frequently pushed back against his aggressive immigration policies.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump blasted Boasberg, accusing him of being an “unelected troublemaker” who was obstructing his administration’s mandate to crack down on illegal immigration.

“HE DIDN’T WIN ANYTHING! 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 wrote.

“I’m just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do. This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!”

Judge Boasberg’s Ruling on Deportations

The legal battle centers on Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a law that allows for the deportation of noncitizens from enemy nations during wartime. Trump invoked the law in February, arguing that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua posed an “invasion threat” to the U.S.

Under the order, the Trump administration deported over 200 alleged gang members to El Salvador, where the U.S. paid $6 million to have them imprisoned for a year.

Boasberg, an Obama appointee, issued a temporary restraining order blocking further deportations. However, at least two deportation flights continued despite his ruling. Boasberg then convened a hearing on Monday to address what he called “possible defiance” of his order.

Administration’s Response & Calls for Impeachment

Trump administration lawyers defended their actions, saying the judge’s written order was not explicit in requiring planes to return. Meanwhile, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) warned the situation was approaching a constitutional crisis.

Trump’s call for impeachment has divided legal experts, with some calling it an unprecedented attack on judicial independence.

“What we are seeing is an attempt by one branch of government to intimidate another,” said Marin Levy, a Duke University law professor.

Could Boasberg Actually Be Impeached?

Impeaching a federal judge is extremely rare. The Constitution grants the House of Representatives the power to impeach judges with a simple majority vote, but a two-thirds majority in the Senate is required for removal.

In U.S. history, only 15 judges have been impeached, and just 8 have been removed.

The last judicial impeachment was in 2010, when Judge G. Thomas Porteous Jr. was removed for bribery and perjury.
Two House Republicans have already indicated they plan to introduce articles of impeachment against Boasberg.
House Republicans have also filed impeachment articles against two other judges over their Trump-related rulings.

Judicial Battles Continue

Trump’s impeachment demand aligns with key allies like Elon Musk, who have also criticized the judiciary.

The move comes amid growing Republican frustration over court rulings that have slowed Trump’s executive orders on immigration, government restructuring, and federal agency cuts.

While impeachment remains unlikely to succeed in the Democratic-controlled Senate, it signals that Trump’s battles with the judiciary are far from over.