Trump calls for impeachment of judge in deportation flight case

President Trump on Tuesday called for the impeachment of a federal judge who directed flights carrying Venezuelan migrants to be turned around in what has become a contentious battle with the administration.

Trump in a post on Truth Social decried U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg as a “troublemaker and agitator.” He noted that Boasberg was an appointee of former President Obama and suggested he did not have the same authority as Trump because he was not elected.

"I’m just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do," Trump posted. "This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges’ I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!"

Boasberg is unlikely to be impeached, as it would require a majority in the House and a two-thirds majority in the Senate.

Trump's attacks on Boasberg follow attacks from various administration officials who questioned the judge's authority to intervene in the president's deportation efforts.

Boasberg lashed out at the Trump administration during a Monday hearing for refusing to answer questions about flights deporting Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act after he ordered them to turn around the planes.

A Justice Department attorney repeatedly declined to provide details about the flights that landed in El Salvador on Saturday evening, saying he was “not authorized” to do so, a rare instance of an attorney rebuffing a judge’s questions.

Last week during a speech at the Justice Department, Trump said it was "probably illegal" to criticize judges.

Topics

Trump calls for impeachment of judge who blocked Alien Enemies Act deportations

In a social media post, President Trump called for the impeachment of a federal judge who ordered the halting of deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. NBC News' Gabe Gutierrez reports on how ...
NBC News - 2h
Judge orders Trump administration to reveal details of deportation flights to El Salvador

The Trump administration has until noon Tuesday to share details with a federal judge about the deportation flights carrying undocumented Venezuelans with alleged gang ties over the weekend. CBS ...
CBS News - 6h
Breakdown of Alien Enemies Act and Trump administration's deportation flights against judge's order

The Trump administration has until noon Tuesday to share details with a federal judge about the deportation flights carrying undocumented Venezuelans. The White House carried out the flights even ...
CBS News - 3h
Roberts issues rare public pushback after Trump calls for judge’s impeachment

Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public statement Tuesday pushing back after President Trump called to impeach a federal judge that ruled against his administration in a high-profile ...
The Hill - 2h
White House questions authority of judge's verbal order on Venezuelan deportation flights

The White House on Monday cast doubt on the authority of a verbal order from a judge directing the administration to turn around planes carrying Venezuelan migrants out of the country. White House ...
The Hill - 1d
Judge blocks deportations under 1798 law, orders flights turned around

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from deporting any noncitizens pursuant to the president's recent proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act.
ABC News - 2d
Judge lashes out at Trump admin over deportation flights

A federal judge lashed out at the Trump administration Monday for refusing to answer questions about flights deporting Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act after he ordered them to turn ...
The Hill - 19h
Chief justice pushes back against calls to impeach judges who rule against Trump

Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare statement Tuesday rebuking President Donald Trump and his allies for calling to impeach judges who have ruled against the administration.
NBC News - 2h
Roberts says impeaching judges "not an appropriate response" to disagreement

The chief justice's statement came after President Trump called for a federal judge to be impeached.
CBS News - 1h