US Chief Justice Pushes Back Against Trump's Call for Judge's Impeachment
In a rare move, US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has publicly commented on President Donald Trump’s demand to impeach a judge who opposed his administration on migrant deportations. “For over 200 years, it’s been clear that impeachment isn’t the right way to settle disagreements over judicial decisions,” Roberts stated. He emphasized that the “usual appellate review process is there for such cases.” This came after Trump criticized US District Judge James Boasberg as a “troublemaker and agitator” following the judge’s decision to stop deportations of alleged gang members to El Salvador. The White House has not yet commented on the matter.
Chief Justice Roberts, who seldom addresses political issues, authored the majority opinion in Trump’s presidential immunity case last year. His recent statement occurs amid Trump’s growing criticism of federal judges who have halted or ruled against several of his early presidential actions. On Truth Social, Trump attacked Judge Boasberg, calling for his impeachment and claiming, “HE DIDN’T WIN ANYTHING!” Trump insisted he was “just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do.”
Impeaching a federal judge requires the US House of Representatives to approve articles of impeachment, followed by a two-thirds US Senate conviction. Since its founding, the US Senate has considered impeachment for 15 judges, including one Supreme Court Justice, of which eight were found guilty.
Trump’s ire seemed aimed at Boasberg’s order, which demanded the halt of deportations to El Salvador for over 200 Venezuelans the White House labeled gang members. Despite planes with deportees taking off, Boasberg reportedly ordered them to return “immediately,” though the directive wasn’t in the written ruling released later. A follow-up hearing was scheduled for Trump administration lawyers to explain the flight situation. Meanwhile, deportations paused and a court motion sought to remove Boasberg from the case.
Previously, Trump criticized judges overseeing his cases and aligned with allies like tech mogul Elon Musk on calls for their impeachment. Yet, he’s praised judges favorable to him, such as US District Judge Aileen Cannon, who dismissed a criminal case concerning his alleged mishandling of classified documents. Following Justice Roberts’ support of his presidential immunity challenge, Trump has expressed warmer sentiments toward the Chief Justice. That ruling extended presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during office, strengthening presidential power.
Roberts carried out Trump’s oath of office at his inauguration and was acknowledged by Trump during his March 4 Congress address. Although Supreme Court justices hold various ideological perspectives, they typically remain separate from partisan political disputes. Roberts’ statement served as an unusual counter to a president’s political declaration regarding the judiciary’s role. As legal challenges to Trump’s actions ascend through federal courts, the Supreme Court is anticipated to address some of them in due course.