President Donald Trump has called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg following the judge’s decision to block the administration’s deportation of Venezuelan migrants. The demand, made on Tuesday, marks a significant escalation in tensions between the White House and the judiciary over immigration policy.
Judge Boasberg’s ruling directly challenges the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify the deportation of individuals alleged to be members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. The judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to establish that the migrants posed an immediate threat to national security, questioning the validity of applying the wartime law in this context.
Reacting to the decision, President Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, where he labeled Judge Boasberg as an “unelected troublemaker” who, in his view, undermines national security. Trump’s call for impeachment reflects his administration’s frustration with judicial decisions perceived as obstructing its immigration enforcement efforts.
Legal analysts have voiced concerns over Trump’s impeachment demand, warning that it could undermine the independence of the judiciary. In U.S. history, only 15 federal judges have been impeached, with eight ultimately removed from office, making such proceedings a rare occurrence.
Despite the court’s ruling, reports suggest that the administration proceeded with the deportation of 261 Venezuelans to El Salvador, claiming they were affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang—allegations which families of the deportees dispute.
The President’s actions are part of a broader effort to tighten immigration policies. His administration has also sought to overturn pardons issued by the previous administration and is pushing the Supreme Court to abolish birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. These moves are expected to trigger further legal challenges and intensify debates surrounding presidential authority and constitutional limits.
