A newly uncovered memo suggests that Judge James Boasberg and other federal judges in Washington, D.C., may harbor a bias against President Donald Trump — a suspicion long held by many of his supporters.
The memo, obtained by The Federalist, originates from the March 11, 2025, Judicial Conference in D.C., where federal judges gather biannually to discuss judiciary matters and recommend legislative actions to Congress.
According to the memo, Judge Boasberg reportedly voiced to Chief Justice John Roberts a “concern that the Administration would disregard rulings of federal courts,” potentially triggering a constitutional crisis. Roberts responded by expressing hope that such a crisis would not occur and noted that his recent interactions with President Trump had been “civil and respectful.”
However, The Federalist argues this was not just a theoretical discussion. Trump, it points out, isn’t merely a president — he’s a litigant in numerous cases being heard by the same D.C. District Court judges raising concerns about his administration’s potential noncompliance.
Critics argue that Boasberg’s remarks reveal a prejudgment of Trump’s conduct, despite the administration having complied with every court order to date. The judges’ expressed doubts, the report claims, disregard the legal principle that public officials are presumed to fulfill their duties unless proven otherwise — a presumption apparently not extended to Trump in this case.
Shortly after the Judicial Conference, Boasberg issued a ruling blocking Trump-era deportations to El Salvador. Later, he ruled that deported migrants must be allowed the opportunity to challenge their removals in court — moves Trump allies say reflect judicial activism rooted in political bias.
Still, Trump notched a significant win in June when the U.S. Supreme Court limited the power of individual federal judges to block presidential actions nationwide — a decision widely seen as a rebuke of lower court interference.
Speaking afterward, Trump criticized what he called “radical left judges” attempting to thwart his mandate.
“I was elected on a historic mandate,” Trump said, “but in recent months, we’ve seen a handful of radical left judges effectively try to overrule the rightful powers of the president… a grave threat to democracy.”
He added, “Instead of merely ruling on the immediate cases before them, these judges have attempted to dictate law for the entire nation.”
