Supreme Court chief rebukes Trump over call for judge's impeachment

Donald Trump’s escalating conflict with the judiciary erupted into a direct confrontation on Tuesday as Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public rebuke over Trump’s call for the impeachment of a federal judge.

“For over two centuries, impeachment has not been a remedy for disagreements with judicial rulings,” Roberts stated, emphasizing that the appellate system serves that purpose.

Roberts' sharp response followed Trump’s demand to impeach District Judge James Boasberg, who had temporarily halted deportation flights of alleged undocumented migrants.

“This judge, like many corrupt judges I’m forced to deal with, should be IMPEACHED,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

While the White House has previously criticized lower courts for blocking executive actions, this marked the first instance of Trump personally calling for a judge’s impeachment since his return to office in January.

Federal judges hold lifetime appointments and can only be removed through congressional impeachment for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Such removals are extremely rare, with the last occurring in 2010.

Hours after Trump’s post, Republican Congressman Brandon Gill of Texas introduced articles of impeachment against Boasberg, labeling him a “radical activist judge.”

Legal scholars viewed Roberts’ remarks as extraordinary. University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias noted that Roberts previously made similar comments when Trump attacked judges during his first term, asserting that the judiciary does not consist of partisan judges.

Trump, the first convicted felon to serve as president, has a history of targeting judges presiding over his cases.

Court Showdown -

Judge Boasberg ordered the suspension of deportation flights on Saturday, preventing the transfer of alleged Venezuelan gang members from the U.S. to detention in El Salvador.

The White House justified the deportations using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a rarely invoked wartime measure. However, no public evidence has confirmed that the deportees were gang members or undocumented migrants.

During a hearing on Monday, Boasberg questioned whether the White House had defied his order by proceeding with the flights. Justice Department lawyers argued that the deportees had already left the U.S. when the judge’s written order was issued, rendering his jurisdiction void.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department sought to remove Boasberg from the case, accusing him of interfering with the president’s foreign policy decisions.

'I WON' -

Trump lashed out at Boasberg on Truth Social, calling him a “Radical Left Lunatic” and an “Obama-appointed agitator.” He insisted the judge had no authority over his immigration policies.

“I WON BY A MASSIVE MANDATE, AND STOPPING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WAS A KEY REASON FOR THAT HISTORIC VICTORY,” Trump wrote.

Boasberg, a Yale Law graduate, was first appointed to the DC Superior Court by Republican President George W. Bush and later elevated to the federal bench by Democratic President Barack Obama.

The White House has frequently criticized court rulings that challenge Trump’s policies, including the recent rejection of his attempt to end birthright citizenship.

Concerns are mounting over Trump’s growing efforts to consolidate executive power, raising fears that an outright defiance of judicial authority could spark a constitutional crisis.

This article was reported by journalist Jimmy.