Sens. Durbin and Duckworth call on U.S. Attorney Boutros to resign

Illinois’ two Democratic U.S. senators are calling for U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros to resign, saying the Northern District of Illinois office is facing “chaos, deep internal dysfunction, and alleged misconduct.” In a joint statement Tuesday, Sen. Dick Durbin and Sen. Tammy Duckworth said Boutros “must resign” and argued that the next U.S. attorney should be chosen through an open, transparent, and nonpartisan process.

The demand comes amid escalating fallout from the collapse of the Broadview Six case, which fell apart just before trial last month after serious accusations emerged that federal prosecutors mishandled grand jury proceedings and then tried to hide that misconduct from the judge. The case had centered on a group of protesters indicted in October on felony charges tied to alleged damage and interference involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle at a suburban processing facility in Broadview. Defense lawyers had already argued the prosecution was politically motivated and aimed at suppressing protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

The situation worsened after U.S. District Judge April Perry expressed shock during an emergency hearing, saying she had never seen prosecutorial behavior before a grand jury like what appeared in the transcripts. Boutros later appeared in court personally to apologize and drop all charges. Perry said the trust between the court and prosecutors had been damaged, and she indicated more legal action could follow.

The senators’ criticism also adds pressure as Boutros faces another controversy that drew national attention last week. His office is leading a criminal investigation into a Chicago-based nonprofit that partially helped fund legal fees for E. Jean Carroll, the writer who won a sexual assault and defamation case against Trump. Boutros denied reports that Carroll herself was being targeted, calling such claims “categorically false.”

Morale inside the U.S. attorney’s office has reportedly fallen sharply as the scandal widens. Several prosecutors involved in the Broadview Six matter have hired attorneys, and judges may hold additional hearings. There is also growing speculation about whether disciplinary or legal consequences could follow for people involved in the case.

Other Illinois politicians have already called for Boutros to step down, including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. But the public pressure from Durbin and Duckworth is especially significant. Durbin is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, giving the call added political weight.

Boutros, a former federal prosecutor and Chicago white-collar lawyer, was nominated by Trump in 2025 after a search committee led by Rep. Darin LaHood recommended other candidates. His first year in office has been marked by major disruptions, including a hiring freeze, federal budget cuts, a prolonged government shutdown, and a wave of departures by experienced prosecutors.

A major focus of his tenure has been Operation Midway Blitz, Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement campaign in Chicago. The U.S. attorney’s office brought charges against nearly three dozen people connected to protests and resistance to federal immigration agents, but many of those cases have since unraveled under court scrutiny. As the Broadview Six fallout continues, the office now faces mounting questions about leadership, accountability, and trust.