Texas GOP representative Brandon Gill has announced his intention to file articles of impeachment against Judge James Boasberg, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. This announcement comes on the heels of Boasberg’s issuance of a restraining order that halts the Trump administration’s efforts to rapidly deport Venezuelan gang members.

Context of the Ruling

On Saturday, Judge Boasberg imposed a 14-day temporary restraining order, preventing the deportation of individuals identified as violent gang members from Venezuela. This ruling is rooted in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the legal advocacy group Democracy Forward, which contended that the usage of “wartime authority” by the Trump administration was unlawful since the U.S. is not in a state of declared war.

This decision has prompted a backlash from Republican lawmakers, with many voicing their dissatisfaction on social media. Senator Chuck Grassley, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed concerns about judicial overreach, stating, “Another day, another judge unilaterally deciding policy for the whole country. This time to benefit foreign gang members.”

Reactions from Political Figures

Following Gill’s impeachment plans, Elon Musk, an advisor to former President Trump, supported the action on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Necessary.” Musk later elaborated, asserting that judges who disregard the law should face impeachment votes, regardless of the outcome.

Background on the Alien Enemies Act

The legal basis for the Trump administration’s plans stem from the Alien Enemies Act, a law that dates back centuries and grants the president broad powers to imprison or deport noncitizens during wartime. This law has been invoked infrequently; the last notable usage occurred during World War II.

President Trump had sought to utilize this act to address what he described as “irregular warfare” posed by the Tren de Aragua gang and to designate several Mexican drug cartels as “Foreign Terrorist Organizations.”

Next Steps for Impeachment

As of now, the specific timeline for when Gill intends to introduce the articles of impeachment is unclear. Efforts are underway to further assess the implications of Boasberg’s ruling and the ongoing immigration policy debates.