Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare and pointed statement Tuesday, rejecting the idea of impeaching federal judges over disagreements with their rulings.
“For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” Roberts said. “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.”
His comments came just hours after President Trump demanded the removal of a federal judge who blocked his administration’s deportation of suspected Venezuelan gang members using a wartime law from 1798.
Earlier in the day, Trump lashed out at U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who ruled against the deportations, calling him a “Radical Left Lunatic” and a “troublemaker and agitator.”
“This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
While Trump has often criticized judges who rule against him, this marks one of the first times he has explicitly called for their impeachment. His ally, DOGE head Elon Musk, has been pushing for similar removals for weeks.
Roberts rarely makes public statements, especially those that push back on a sitting president. This standoff echoes a 2018 clash when Roberts rebuked Trump for calling a judge an “Obama judge.”
“We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges,” Roberts said at the time. “What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them.”
The tension between Trump and Roberts took another turn earlier this month when Trump was caught on a hot mic thanking the chief justice after an address to Congress.
While it’s unclear what Trump was referring to, many speculate it was related to a recent Supreme Court decision that granted him sweeping immunity from prosecution—helping him avoid legal consequences for efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Trump later downplayed the moment, saying he was simply thanking Roberts for swearing him in. Roberts was one of four justices who attended Trump’s second inauguration.
Following Trump’s Truth Social post, his allies quickly rallied behind him. Rep. Brandon Gill, a staunch Trump supporter, filed articles of impeachment against Judge Boasberg. MAGA figures, including Rep. Nancy Mace and far-right commentator Mike Cernovich, echoed Trump’s demands.
Meanwhile, last week, Trump suggested it should be “illegal” to criticize judges. When a reporter pointed out that both Trump and Musk have openly attacked judges, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt fired back, “I have not heard the president talk about impeaching judges.”
During the first two months of his second term, Trump has repeatedly tested the limits of presidential power.
He has attempted to revoke birthright citizenship—despite it being enshrined in the Constitution—only to be blocked by multiple federal judges. His efforts to dismantle federal agencies have led to a wave of legal battles. Last week, a judge ordered his administration to reinstate tens of thousands of federal employees who were abruptly fired.
Trump has also hinted that he believes a president can override judicial rulings. In mid-February, he caused a stir when he posted on X: “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”
The cryptic message appeared to reference a Hollywood-style interpretation of Napoleon Bonaparte—adding another layer of intrigue to his escalating battle with the judiciary.
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Well something should change, these judges care more about the criminals than our citizens.
RINO Roberts is powerless to slam anything Trump does now… Roberts should have been impeached and removed long ago so Good Trump can replace him with better…
Sent from my iPhone
Of course he like judges he is a felon
It’s not a wonder that the President would want impeachment of activist Judge. Chief Justice Robert should be concerned as well
Impeachment Would Be A Lucky Outcome — the Judge Should Be Arrested and Criminally Charged for Protecti
Thank you Judge Roberts for doing the right thing.
Oh Geez! The Russian A I bots have to pipe in!
This about time they stand up to Trump. Great job Judge Roberts
The first member of one of the three co-equal branches of our U.S. government to perform one of the most significant parts of their job – announce far and wide that the President’s comments are wrong, unconstitutional and dangerous! The rest of you should now follow this bold and appropriate step and do the same – all day, every day.