Can Congress impeach a federal judge? Here's how and why it probably won't happen
The attacks on the judiciary by Donald Trump and his allies have increased in recent days, with calls to impeach a judge who ruled against the president on deportations.
Donald Trump's allies have been calling for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg after he blocked the deportation of migrants under the Alien Enemies Act. On Tuesday, the push to get rid of Boasberg became more serious when Trump himself weighed in and agreed.
“This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges’ I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!” Trump posted on social media.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare statement afterward, rebuking Trump and his allies for going after judges who rule against the administration.
“For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision," Roberts said in a statement. "The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose."
Indeed, Congress impeaches not to retaliate against judges who have issued rulings they disagree with but instead to remove judges who have committed crimes or been alleged to have taken part in bribery or other behaviors that would preclude them from doing their duties on the bench.
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