In Washington, dissatisfaction is growing among Republicans in Congress towards the federal judiciary’s recent court decisions, which have overwhelmingly challenged the actions of the Trump administration. In response, GOP leaders are contemplating measures to curtail the authority of federal rulings, possibly cut funding for the judiciary, and even consider impeaching certain judges, all in an effort to reinforce their control over the government.
Congressional Republicans, led by House GOP members, are considering various strategies to restrict judges who are consistently obstructing President Trump’s initiatives. These court interventions have largely questioned the legality of actions such as dismissing federal employees, halting federal funds, and shutting down longstanding federal departments under the guidance of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
A particularly prominent case involves Judge James E. Boasberg, who ordered the return of deported immigrants, provoking disapproval from Trump, who then called for Boasberg’s impeachment. Additionally, Elon Musk has supported this endeavor through campaign donations to House Republicans advocating for impeachment. In Trump’s view, the judges are “lunatics.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson declared on Tuesday that “desperate times call for desperate measures,” although he refrained from explicitly mentioning impeachment. He emphasized that Congress holds power over the federal courts, including the ability to dissolve entire district courts and control their funding.
Amid persistent challenges faced by the new administration just shy of its 100th day, the tension between the executive branch and judiciary marks the beginning of an anticipated long-standing battle between these government branches. As the White House tests the limits of judicial compliance with Trump’s directives, Republican-led Congress seems poised to support the president.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision last summer, which granted broad immunity to the executive, checkpoint barriers against Trump’s and the DOGE’s measures remain paramount concerns, especially for Democrats. They argue that any attempts to weaken or eliminate judicial authority represent an assault on this branch, a crucial safeguard against Trump’s wide-ranging actions.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the idea of court defunding, labeling it as an outrageous notion. He emphasized the courts’ critical role of counterbalancing Trump’s influence, which Republicans find intolerable.
House GOP leaders convened Tuesday with Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, who soon plans to orchestrate a hearing on this contentious issue. The House may soon vote on a bill by Rep. Darrell Issa, aiming to constrain the geographic influence of specific federal court rulings and prevent temporary restraining orders from being enforced nationwide.
Jordan, having discussed the issue with Trump at a college wrestling event in Philadelphia, indicated that all possibilities are being considered as the facts are collected.
Trump’s presidency, aided by Musk’s push for governmental downsizing, faces legal hurdles from various lawsuits launched by employee unions, democratic organizations, and advocacy groups intent on preserving essential federal programs. Numerous court-ordered injunctions have challenged Trump’s decisions; his administration alone accounted for a substantial percentage of such legal impediments in recent years.
The legislation from Issa gained no Democratic support upon its approval by the Judiciary Committee recently. Meanwhile, a parallel bill was introduced by GOP Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri.
Speaking for the Judiciary, Rep. Jamie Raskin contended that injunctions arise due to Trump’s engagement in reckless and unlawful rights violations, asserting that their party is prevailing in court and must protect the judiciary’s integrity.
However, GOP attempts to actually impeach judges have met with restrained support among top Republicans, given the rarity of such Congressional actions. Several House Republicans have floated impeachment proposals aimed at judges whose rulings have adversely impacted the Trump agenda.
Notably, Musk has provided financial support to Republican House members favoring impeachment proceedings, as reported by an anonymous sourced story.
Focus is particularly on Judge Boasberg, the chief judge of the district court in Washington, D.C., with Jordan labeling his decision as “crazy.” Boasberg is currently adjudicating if the Trump administration overstepped his order after deported migrants were sent to El Salvador’s infamous prison system. The deportations were justified by invoking the Alien Enemies Act, a controversial measure last used during World War II.
Any actual impeachment process would additionally need to secure approval from the Senate, with influential GOP figures expressing skepticism towards such moves. Senate Majority Leader John Thune recommended trusting in the legal process, predicting that prevailing judicial mechanisms will provide resolution.