US President Donald Trump on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on US District Judge James Boasberg after the judge blocked his administration from carrying out mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Boasberg of being a “Radical Left Lunatic” and demanded his impeachment for undermining the will of the voters.
Trump’s outrage followed Boasberg’s emergency ruling, which halted the Trump administration’s use of the centuries-old law to fast-track the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members and other undocumented migrants. The judge’s decision came after learning that deportation flights had already departed, prompting him to order officials to turn them around.
“This Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, was not elected President – He didn’t WIN the popular VOTE (by a lot!), he didn’t WIN ALL SEVEN SWING STATES, he didn’t WIN 2,750 to 525 Counties, 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 said on Truth Social. He further insisted, “This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!”
Judge James Boasberg was appointed by former US President Barack Obama in 2011 to serve as a judge on the US District Court for the District of Columbia. Later, in 2020, he was also appointed as the presiding judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).
Trump vs Judiciary
The ruling has further inflamed tensions between Trump and the judiciary, with his allies condemning what they describe as judicial overreach. Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Boasberg of prioritising criminals over American safety, stating, “Tonight, a DC trial judge supported Tren de Aragua terrorists over the safety of Americans… This order disregards well-established authority regarding President Trump’s power and it puts the public and law enforcement at risk.”
The administration had invoked the Alien Enemies Act in a bid to bypass legal obstacles to mass deportations. However, Judge Boasberg ruled against the move, arguing that those affected could face persecution or worse in their home countries. He ordered that deportation flights be halted, even directing flights already airborne to return.
MAGA demand impeachment
Boasberg’s ruling has ignited fury among Trump supporters, with Elon Musk calling for the impeachment of “activist judges” blocking executive actions. “We must impeach judges who are grossly undermining the will of the people and destroying America. It is the only way,” Musk said.
Trump-aligned lawmakers are reportedly considering impeachment proceedings against Boasberg, with Representative Brandon Gill vowing to introduce articles of impeachment. Meanwhile, MAGA activists have begun doxxing Boasberg and his family online, alleging links to Democratic organisations.
Trump deploys Indian-origin lawyer
The Trump administration pushed ahead with deportations despite Boasberg’s order, arguing it was a national security issue. But the judge demanded officials confirm whether they had defied his ruling.
Abhishek Kambli, a Trump-appointed Deputy Associate Attorney General, defended the move, saying flights had already taken off and couldn’t be turned back. “Those are operational issues, and I am not at liberty to provide information,” he said, citing national security concerns. Boasberg wasn’t convinced and ordered him to submit written proof by Tuesday noon that no further deportations had happened.
Kambli has been a rising figure in Trump’s legal team, known for backing conservative policies in court. Before joining the justice department, he played a key role in blocking Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan and halting federal protections for temporary farmworkers.