A federal judge who halted President Donald Trump’s order to deport suspected Venezuelan gang members is now facing impeachment threats from Congress.
On Monday, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) announced that he will file Articles of Impeachment against U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, accusing him of being an “activist judge” who has repeatedly overstepped his authority.
Gill’s move comes after Boasberg issued an emergency ruling blocking Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang—a violent transnational criminal organization involved in drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and human trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Judge Boasberg’s Controversial Ruling Sparks Backlash
🚨 What Happened?
✔ Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act on Saturday – marking the first time since World War II that the 18th-century law has been used.
✔ The order authorized the immediate deportation of non-citizen members of Tren de Aragua to prevent national security threats.
✔ Boasberg, an Obama appointee, blocked deportation flights, even reportedly ordering U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to turn around planes already in the air.
✔ His ruling provided a 14-day window for legal challenges by a group of Venezuelan men claiming wrongful detention.
Boasberg’s decision ignited outrage among Republicans, with lawmakers and conservative leaders accusing him of prioritizing foreign criminals over American safety.
Republican Lawmakers & Leaders Slam Boasberg
🚨 Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) Calls for Impeachment
📢 “I’ll be filing Articles of Impeachment against activist judge James Boasberg this week,” Gill posted on X, alongside a screenshot of a New York Post report detailing Boasberg’s decision.
🔹 Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) Warns of Constitutional Crisis
📢 “Another judge is unilaterally deciding policy for the whole country. If the Supreme Court or Congress doesn’t fix this, we’re headed towards a constitutional crisis.”
🔹 Elon Musk Weighs In
📢 “The very worst judges—those who repeatedly flout the law—should at least be put to an impeachment vote, whether that vote succeeds or not.”
Boasberg has a history of rulings that have drawn Republican criticism, including:
✔ Handing down lengthy prison sentences to January 6 defendants.
✔ Defending FBI surveillance under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
Critics argue that his latest ruling is yet another example of judicial overreach.
Trump Administration Moves Forward With Deportations Despite Ruling
Despite Boasberg’s emergency order, the Trump administration is determined to proceed with deportations.
🔹 The Department of Justice (DOJ) is expediting its appeal to overturn Boasberg’s ruling.
🔹 White House sources suggest alternative legal pathways are being explored to bypass the court’s decision.
Impeachment Faces an Uphill Battle
While Gill’s impeachment push has gained momentum among Republican lawmakers, removing Boasberg from the bench remains a major challenge.
✔ A House majority is required to move forward.
✔ A two-thirds vote in the Senate—which remains Republican-controlled—would be needed to convict and remove Boasberg.
What’s Next?
As the legal battle escalates, several key questions remain:
🔎 Will the Supreme Court intervene to uphold or overturn Boasberg’s ruling?
🔎 Can the Trump administration successfully deport Tren de Aragua gang members despite legal roadblocks?
🔎 Will the impeachment push against Boasberg gain enough support in Congress?
🚨 Stay tuned as the fight over judicial power, immigration policy, and national security unfolds.