WASHINGTON (AP) — The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed a misconduct complaint filed by the U.S. Justice Department against Judge James E. Boasberg. The complaint arose from remarks Boasberg made in March 2025, warning that the Trump administration's failure to comply with federal court rulings could provoke a constitutional crisis. The complaint was dismissed on Dec. 19, but the information became public only recently.
In his remarks at a judicial conference, Boasberg expressed concerns about the administration's plans to use wartime authorities to carry out deportations. He issued an order blocking such deportation flights shortly after those comments.
In the dismissal order, Chief Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton emphasized that the Justice Department failed to provide a corroborated source for the allegations against Boasberg. Sutton, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, clarified that without solid evidence, such complaints could not underpin valid misconduct claims.
Sutton noted that even if Judge Boasberg had made his comments, they would fall within permissible discussions relevant to the judicial context, as highlighted by Chief Justice John Roberts’ own reports on threats to judicial independence and security.
The misconduct complaint was initially directed to Judge Sri Srinivasan, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, who later transferred the case to the 6th Circuit due to ongoing appeals related to the deportation matters. Spokespeople for both the Justice Department and Judge Boasberg’s court did not respond immediately to requests for comments.
In his remarks at a judicial conference, Boasberg expressed concerns about the administration's plans to use wartime authorities to carry out deportations. He issued an order blocking such deportation flights shortly after those comments.
In the dismissal order, Chief Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton emphasized that the Justice Department failed to provide a corroborated source for the allegations against Boasberg. Sutton, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, clarified that without solid evidence, such complaints could not underpin valid misconduct claims.
Sutton noted that even if Judge Boasberg had made his comments, they would fall within permissible discussions relevant to the judicial context, as highlighted by Chief Justice John Roberts’ own reports on threats to judicial independence and security.
The misconduct complaint was initially directed to Judge Sri Srinivasan, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, who later transferred the case to the 6th Circuit due to ongoing appeals related to the deportation matters. Spokespeople for both the Justice Department and Judge Boasberg’s court did not respond immediately to requests for comments.
