On March 18, 2025, President Donald Trump called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who had issued orders blocking Trump’s plan to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Trump’s demand came after Boasberg, presiding over a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Democracy Forward, halted the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite deportations. The judge’s ruling on March 15 temporarily stopped the removal of Venezuelan nationals, citing concerns over due process, and ordered any planes already in flight to return to the U.S.
Trump, in a Truth Social post, labeled Boasberg a “Radical Left Lunatic” and “troublemaker,” arguing that the judge, appointed by Barack Obama, was obstructing his immigration agenda, which he claimed was a key reason for his 2024 election victory. The administration had invoked the wartime law to target the gang, which Trump designated as a foreign terrorist organization, asserting it was conducting an “invasion” of the U.S. Despite the court order, over 200 individuals were deported to El Salvador on March 15, prompting accusations that the administration defied Boasberg’s directive.
The Justice Department countered that the deportations occurred before the judge’s written order was issued and argued that Boasberg overstepped his authority, appealing to have him removed from the case. Critics, including the ACLU, warned that using the Alien Enemies Act in peacetime for immigration purposes sets a dangerous precedent. Meanwhile, Trump’s call for impeachment aligns with growing tensions between his administration and the judiciary, though such a move would require a majority in the House and a two-thirds Senate vote—unlikely given current political dynamics. The situation remains a flashpoint in Trump’s broader deportation strategy.