Senator Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., demanded Tuesday that the U.S. House impeach Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia following a federal appeals court ruling that blocked the judge’s contempt investigation into Trump administration officials.
The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a 2-1 decision on Tuesday ordering Boasberg to halt his probe into whether officials violated an earlier order halting deportation flights of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador. Schmitt, who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, cited the ruling in a statement calling for impeachment: “The D.C. Circuit ruled Boasberg’s contempt crusade against Trump officials is an ‘improper investigation’ and ‘clear abuse of discretion.’ He tried to imprison Trump officials for deporting Venezuelan gang members. I’m calling on the House: Impeach Rogue Judge Boasberg.”
The appeals court majority, written by a judge appointed during President Donald Trump’s administration, described Boasberg’s continued inquiry as an “improper investigation” and “clear abuse of discretion.” The ruling warned that the probe risked becoming an open-ended review of executive branch decisions on national security and immigration enforcement. A judge appointed by former President Joe Biden dissented, arguing the decision could undermine the courts’ contempt power and the rule of law.
The dispute traces back to March 2025, when the administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants—some accused of gang ties—to El Salvador despite a judge’s emergency order halting removals and requiring due process. Officials allowed the flights to proceed.
Impeachment would require a House majority to approve articles of impeachment followed by a Senate trial and a two-thirds vote to convict and remove Boasberg from the bench. No immediate steps toward proceedings were announced, given the low likelihood of securing the necessary Senate votes. The ruling does not affect Boasberg’s ongoing duties as chief district judge.
This marks the second time the panel has intervened in the dispute over deportation policy. In an earlier ruling, it halted Boasberg’s initial contempt-related actions.
