In an unusual confrontation between the executive branch and the judiciary, Chief Justice John Roberts rejected requests for the impeachment of federal judges following President Donald Trump’s call for the removal of a judge who ruled against his deportation initiatives.
Roberts stated, “For over two hundred years, it has been recognized that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreements regarding judicial decisions. The standard appellate review process is in place for that reason.”
Newsweek has contacted the White House for a comment via email on Tuesday afternoon.
In a social media post on Tuesday morning, Trump labeled U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, appointed by former President Barack Obama, as an unelected “troublemaker and agitator.” Boasberg had recently halted deportation flights, arguing against Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, a law from the 18th century, to support his policy.
U.S. President Donald Trump (L) greets Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, Jr as he arrives to deliver an address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 04, 2025, in Washington, DC.
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“HE DIDN’T WIN ANYTHING! I WON FOR MANY REASONS, IN AN OVERWHELMING MANDATE, BUT FIGHTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MAY HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR THIS HISTORIC VICTORY,” Trump expressed on his social media platform, Truth Social. “I’m just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do. This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am compelled to face, should be IMPEACHED!!!”
Trump’s recent comments have escalated tensions with the judiciary, which remains one of the few institutions holding back his administration’s aggressive initiatives. He has consistently criticized judges, particularly those who challenge his attempts to expand executive authority and implement extensive federal policies. However, his call for impeachment—typically reserved for serious ethical or criminal violations—represents a notable intensification in the executive-judicial rivalry.
The crux of the conflict lies within the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a seldom-utilized wartime statute that Trump has used to support mass deportations, alleging an “invasion” by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. His administration is financially backing El Salvador to detain suspected gang members.
Boasberg obstructed the deportations and scheduled a hearing on Monday to discuss “possible defiance” of his order after two flights to El Salvador took off despite his verbal directive to stop them.
Attorneys for the Trump administration claimed the written order was ambiguous, while an ACLU lawyer warned, “I think we’re getting very close” to a constitutional crisis.
While House Republicans could initiate impeachment with a simple majority, removing Boasberg would necessitate a two-thirds Senate vote, presenting a significant challenge.
In the entire history of the U.S., only 15 judges have faced impeachment, with just eight actually removed from their positions, as reported by the federal court governing body.
The last judicial impeachment took place in 2010, when G. Thomas Porteous Jr. of New Orleans was impeached for taking bribes and lying about them. The Senate convicted and ousted him from office in December 2010.
As Trump’s sweeping agenda encounters resistance in the courts, there has been a surge in calls to impeach judges. At least two Congressional members have indicated plans to propose articles of impeachment against Boasberg. Concurrently, House Republicans have already filed articles of impeachment against Judges Amir Ali and Paul Engelmayer concerning rulings in Trump-related legal matters.
In another matter, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is one of three administration officials facing a First and Fifth Amendment lawsuit from The Associated Press (AP). The news agency claims retaliation for editorial decisions that went against the administration. Nonetheless, the White House maintains its position, asserting that the AP did not adhere to an executive order mandating the Gulf of Mexico be referred to as the Gulf of America.
Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this story.
This is a developing news story and will be updated as more details emerge.
Update: 3/18/25, 12:25 p.m. ET: This article has received updates with additional information.
Update: 3/18/25, 12:35 p.m. ET: This article has been further updated with additional information.
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