Chief Justice Roberts Issues Rare Rebuke Defending Judicial Independence

In a stunning escalation of his long-running feud with the judiciary, former President Donald Trump on Tuesday demanded the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who recently blocked a controversial deportation policy targeting immigrants from El Salvador. Trump’s call, delivered in an incendiary post on his social media platform TruthSocial, marks yet another attempt by the former president to undermine judicial authority and question the legitimacy of legal decisions that run counter to his agenda.

At the center of the controversy is Boasberg’s decision to halt the deportation of hundreds of Salvadoran immigrants under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a rarely invoked law that Trump’s team has used to justify removing individuals suspected of ties to transnational gangs. Despite the judge’s ruling, federal officials reportedly allowed the deportations to proceed, and over the weekend, 261 individuals were flown to El Salvador, where many were immediately imprisoned according to Salvadoran authorities.

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Trump, in his post, lashed out at Judge Boasberg with personal attacks, calling him a “Radical Left Lunatic” and claiming that the judge was trying to “obstruct justice and help criminal aliens.” Trump questioned the legitimacy of judicial oversight, stating, “He didn’t WIN the popular VOTE,” and declared that Boasberg, along with other judges who have ruled against him, “should be IMPEACHED!!!”

Chief Justice John Roberts Responds

In a rare and pointed response, Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts issued a public statement condemning Trump’s remarks. Roberts emphasized that impeachment is not a proper remedy for disagreement with judicial decisions and reiterated the importance of an independent judiciary.

“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 released by the Associated Press. “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.”

Roberts, who has previously warned about the growing threats and intimidation faced by federal judges, stressed the need to protect the integrity of the courts. “Attempts to intimidate judges for their rulings in cases are inappropriate and should be vigorously opposed,” he wrote. He further elaborated that the independence of the judiciary is a cornerstone of democracy, ensuring that judges can make decisions based solely on the law and facts, free from external pressures or political motivations. This independence is crucial for maintaining public trust in the legal system and upholding the rule of law, which are essential for a functioning democracy.

Who Is Judge James Boasberg?

Judge Boasberg has had a long and distinguished career in public service. Appointed to the federal bench by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2011, Boasberg became the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2023. Prior to that, he served as a U.S. attorney focusing on homicide cases and was appointed to the D.C. Superior Court in 2002 by President George W. Bush, where he handled civil, criminal, and domestic violence cases.

Despite his bipartisan appointments and deep legal experience, Boasberg has become a target for Trump and his allies due to his rulings in high-profile cases, especially those involving immigration and executive power.

Impeaching a Federal Judge: How It Works

Impeaching a federal judge is an extraordinary step and requires both houses of Congress to act. First, the House of Representatives must pass articles of impeachment with a simple majority vote. If successful, the case moves to the Senate, which conducts a trial. Convicting a judge and removing them from office requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate.

Impeachment of judges is extremely rare in U.S. history. In over 250 years, only 15 federal judges have been impeached, and just 8 were ultimately convicted and removed by the Senate. The most recent example was Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr., who was removed in 2010 after being convicted of corruption, including accepting bribes and lying under oath.

Republican Support Grows for Impeachment Push

Shortly after Trump’s post, Rep. Brandon Gill, a Republican from Texas, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he would introduce articles of impeachment against Judge Boasberg. This move aligns with a broader trend among House Republicans, some of whom have targeted at least four other judges for impeachment after rulings seen as unfavorable to Trump since his time in office.

While the success of any impeachment effort remains highly uncertain—especially given the high threshold for Senate conviction—the growing calls for punitive actions against judges by political figures raise serious concerns about judicial independence and the erosion of democratic norms.

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