Rep. Brandon Gill revealed an article of impeachment Tuesday against U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, accusing him of running political interference to stop President Trump.
The Texas Republican said that Judge Boasberg’s second-guessing of Mr. Trump’s national security decision to deport Venezuelan gang members “abused the powers of his judicial authority.”
“Chief Judge Boasberg, in violation of his oath of office, did knowingly and willfully use his judicial position to advance political gains while interfering with the president’s constitutional prerogatives and enforcement of the rule of law,” the article of impeachment reads.
Mr. Trump called for Judge Boasberg’s impeachment earlier Tuesday, drawing a rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who said impeachment shouldn’t be used to settle political disagreements.
Judge Boasberg has drawn Republicans’ ire for attempting to stop deportation flights that flew out Venezuelan migrants who were members of the Tren de Aragua gang. They were taken to El Salvador.
Judge Boasberg went so far as to demand planes be turned around in the air — a move the Trump administration declined to make.
The judge is now engaged in a legal battle with the administration, which says he’s intruding on core presidential powers. The Justice Department has asked a higher court to remove Judge Boasberg, an Obama appointee to the federal district court in Washington, from the case.
