House Speaker Mike Johnson Supports Impeachment of Judges Who Block Trump Policies
Speaker Mike Johnson said he would support impeaching federal judges who block President Trump's policies, joining Republican efforts targeting Judges James Boasberg and Deborah Boardman.
Overview
House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly endorsed pursuing impeachment against federal judges he says have overstepped, framing it as a response to "egregious abuses" of judicial authority.
Republicans have targeted Judges James Boasberg and Deborah Boardman for rulings blocking Trump administration actions, including immigration flight orders and a controversial sentencing decision.
Calls follow previous GOP measures like the No Rogue Rulings Act and pressure from senators such as Ted Cruz urging the House to pursue impeachment proceedings.
Johnson called impeachment an "extreme measure" but said "extreme times call for extreme measures," noting his constitutional law background and the high evidentiary bar for removal.
Impeachment faces hurdles: past House bills stalled in the Senate, failed appropriations amendments, and the high congressional vote threshold makes success uncertain despite growing Republican support.
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Sources (3)
FAQ
Judge Boasberg issued rulings blocking Trump administration immigration policies, such as deporting Venezuelans to an El Salvadorian prison without due process, initiated contempt proceedings against the administration, and approved warrants and nondisclosure orders for seizing Republican lawmakers' phone records in Jack Smith's investigation.
Judge Boardman sentenced a man convicted of attempting to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh to 97 months and lifetime supervised release, which fell short of sentencing guidelines, prompting Sen. Ted Cruz to call it grounds for impeachment.
Last year, Johnson viewed impeachment as impractical due to the high burden and low historical success rate, preferring bills like Rep. Darrell Issa's to limit nationwide injunctions; now he supports it as an 'extreme measure' for 'egregious abuses' against Trump's agenda.
Impeachment requires a House majority to pass articles and a two-thirds Senate vote for conviction; historically only 15 federal judges have been impeached, and past GOP efforts like bills and amendments have stalled in the Senate.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse called the efforts a 'coordinated MAGA intimidation campaign' against the judiciary, arguing that appeal is the proper remedy for disagreed judicial decisions, not impeachment, and defended Boasberg's actions as based in law.
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