Andrew Boutros Faces Resignation Calls After Federal Prosecutors Botch Immigration Protest Case

Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth have demanded that U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros resign following the collapse of a high-profile prosecution against six immigration protest demonstrators. The case fell apart after a federal judge revealed serious prosecutorial misconduct, including improper grand jury practices and attempts to conceal evidence from the court. The development marks a significant credibility crisis for Chicago's top federal prosecutor.

The Broadview Six Prosecution

The case centered on a September demonstration outside a suburban immigration facility where protesters surrounded and damaged a federal agent's vehicle. Prosecutors charged six individuals—most with ties to local Democratic politics—with felony conspiracy, though two defendants had charges dismissed in March. The remaining four faced misdemeanor charges as they approached trial at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

U.S. District Judge April Perry revealed substantial problems with how prosecutors handled the case. According to court findings, a prosecutor improperly staked her credibility on the charges to support an indictment. The judge also identified substantive communications between prosecutors and grand jurors outside the grand jury room and found evidence that prosecutors dismissed grand jurors who disagreed with the case. Most troublingly, Perry determined prosecutors attempted to hide these actions by redacting them from court transcripts.

Senators' Response and Leadership Questions

In a Tuesday statement, Durbin and Duckworth characterized Boutros's tenure as "riddled with chaos, deep internal dysfunction, and alleged misconduct." The senators emphasized that their traditional role in selecting Chicago's top federal prosecutor made their intervention significant. They called for an open, transparent, and nonpartisan process to find a replacement.

Boutros dismissed the charges on May 21, claiming he only learned of the apparent misconduct in late April. He was initially appointed to the interim position in April 2025 by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi. When that appointment expired, Chicago's federal judges selected him to continue in a more permanent capacity. The defendants—including former congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, Oak Park village trustee Brian Straw, and 45th Ward Democratic committeeperson Michael Rabbitt—have described the experience as financially and emotionally damaging, with legal bills forcing some toward bankruptcy and causing stress for their families.