A recently uncovered memo has sparked new concerns about judicial impartiality, revealing that federal Judge James Boasberg and other D.C. judges expressed deep concerns about President Donald Trump during a private meeting of the Judicial Conference in March 2025.
The memo, obtained by The Federalist, details a conversation in which Judge Boasberg told Chief Justice John Roberts that he and fellow judges feared the Trump administration might ignore federal court rulings, potentially triggering a constitutional crisis. Roberts reportedly responded by saying he hoped such a situation would not occur and emphasized that his recent interactions with President Trump had been “civil and respectful.”
Critics say the comments show a clear bias against Trump, who at the time was involved in numerous legal battles, including several cases being heard in the D.C. District Court. The Federalist argues that the discussion wasn’t merely hypothetical but centered on a current litigant — raising serious ethical concerns.
“Federal courts traditionally assume public officials are acting in good faith and following the law,” the outlet wrote. “Yet these judges voiced distrust about the Trump administration despite no evidence that it had defied court orders.”
Just days after the Judicial Conference, Judge Boasberg issued an order halting deportations to El Salvador. Later, he ruled that individuals already deported must be given the opportunity to challenge their removal in court — a move critics described as judicial overreach.
However, in June, Trump scored a major legal win when the U.S. Supreme Court limited the power of individual federal judges to block presidential policies nationwide. The ruling was seen as a rebuke to lower court judges who had repeatedly stymied the administration’s agenda.
“This is a grave threat to democracy,” Trump said following the decision. “Radical left judges are no longer just ruling on individual cases — they’re trying to override the will of the voters and the constitutional powers of the presidency.”
The memo has reignited debate over political bias within the judiciary — especially in Washington, D.C., where many of Trump’s legal battles continue to unfold.
