President Donald Trump has called for the impeachment of Judge James Boasberg after he attempted to stop his administration deporting Venezuelan gang members – but Chief Justice Roberts is standing in his way.
At a glance:
• President Trump called for the impeachment of Judge James Boasberg who blocked deportation of Venezuelan gang members
• Chief Justice John Roberts rebuked Trump, claiming impeachment isn’t appropriate for disagreements with judicial rulings
• The Trump administration proceeded with deportations despite the judge’s order, sending over 200 noncitizens to El Salvador
• Trump used the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to authorize deportations without hearings during what he declared an “invasion”
• GOP lawmakers have introduced articles of impeachment against Judge Boasberg with support from Trump allies including Elon Musk
Trump Pushes Back Against Judicial Activism
President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of radical activist judges undermining national security through activist rulings, with the latest incident involving U.S. District Judge James Boasberg temporarily barring the deportation of noncitizens under Trump’s Executive Order targeting Venezuelan gang members.
After the Trump administration invoked the rarely-used Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which permits deportation without hearings during war or invasion, Democrats and activist judges alike expressed their disapproval of Trump’s plans. After Judge Boasberg stepped in and tried to halt the flight – after it had already taken off – President Trump and MAGA Republicans called for the judge to be impeached. But now, Chief Justice John Roberts is stepping in to say that shouldn’t happen.
This is going to become a real mess.
Roberts Defends Judicial Independence
Chief Justice John Roberts issued a stern rebuke to President Trump’s calls for judicial impeachment. “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” Roberts stated, suggesting that normal appellate review exists for challenging rulings.
Roberts’ intervention mirrors his 2018 defense of the judiciary when he claimed, “We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges.”
This statement contradicts the experiences of many Americans who have witnessed politically-motivated rulings from Democrat-appointed judges consistently obstructing Trump’s America First agenda. We know it happens, and surely – surely! – he knows it too.
Chief Justice Roberts sees what is happening. Instead of issuing a bold statement scolding federal activist judges, he puts out a statement attacking President Trump calling for impeachment.
Surely he can see that these judges have a conflict of interest. What a pitiful Supreme… https://t.co/MdkGhoJnJe
— Kate (@kate_p45) March 18, 2025
Constitutional Showdown Intensifies
The impeachment push has gained significant momentum with GOP lawmakers introducing formal articles against Judge Boasberg. Republican Representative Andrew Clyde has championed the effort, arguing that impeachment becomes necessary when judges overreach their constitutional authority.
Elon Musk, a senior adviser to President Trump, has thrown his support behind impeaching judges who obstruct legitimate executive actions. Musk characterized certain judicial interventions as part of a larger “coup” against democratic processes and the will of American voters.
Attorney Mike Davis offered a powerful defense of the President’s position, emphasizing that impeachment is fundamentally a political decision. The Constitution grants Congress authority to remove federal officials, including judges who fail to uphold their oath or engage in what many conservatives view as judicial activism.
A legal battle is coming over impeachment all over again – but this time, it’s not just about Trump.
