In a rare public statement, Chief Justice John Roberts condemned President Donald Trump and his allies for demanding the impeachment of federal judges who rule against the administration. Roberts’ remarks come as Trump escalates his attacks on the judiciary, calling for the removal of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg after he blocked a deportation order.
Roberts Defends Judicial Independence
Roberts emphasized that impeachment should never serve as a response to judicial decisions.
“For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” Roberts stated. “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.”
His statement reflects growing concern among judges as political attacks on the judiciary increase. Federal courts have frequently intervened in Trump’s policies, prompting frustration from the administration and its supporters.
Trump Escalates the Conflict
Trump responded quickly, rejecting Roberts’ comments during a Fox News interview. He insisted that calls for Boasberg’s impeachment were justified.
“Many people have called for this judge’s impeachment,” Trump said. “We have very bad judges, and at a certain point, you have to start looking at what to do when you have a rogue judge.”
This marks the first time Trump, as a sitting president, has explicitly called for impeachment over a judicial ruling. Earlier in the day, he took to Truth Social, attacking Boasberg and other judges he has clashed with in the past.
Republicans Push for Judicial Impeachments
Following Trump’s remarks, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) introduced articles of impeachment against Judge Boasberg. He accused the judge of overstepping his authority by blocking the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants.
Gill’s move is part of a broader Republican effort to target federal judges who challenge the administration’s policies. Besides Boasberg, GOP lawmakers have also proposed impeaching:
- Judge John McConnell, who halted a federal funding freeze.
- Judge Amir Ali, who restored foreign aid payments.
- Judge Paul Engelmayer, who ruled against Elon Musk’s attempts to access Treasury Department financial networks.
Judges Warn of Threats to Judicial Independence
Roberts’ statement aligns with warnings from other judges. Judge Richard Sullivan, chair of the Judicial Conference’s Security Committee, recently cautioned against undermining the judiciary.
“We have a system that allows for appeals, not impeachment, as a response to legal disagreements,” Sullivan explained.
Judicial Impeachments Are Extremely Rare
Although impeachment is constitutional, only 15 federal judges have ever been removed in U.S. history. Most of these cases involved serious misconduct, such as bribery or fraud. No judge has ever been impeached over a legal ruling alone.
Even non-political impeachment attempts have faced obstacles. In 2010, Judge G. Thomas Porteous became the last federal judge to be removed after he was caught accepting bribes.
What Happens Next?
The impeachment of Boasberg or any other judge remains unlikely, as a conviction would require two-thirds of the Senate—a steep hurdle even with Republican control of Congress.
However, Trump’s aggressive stance against the judiciary signals a deepening political and legal battle over executive power. With several of Trump’s policies expected to reach the Supreme Court, Roberts’ statement may foreshadow further conflicts between the White House and the judiciary.
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