On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, NBC News reported that Chief Justice John Roberts publicly addressed calls from former President Donald Trump and his supporters for the impeachment of judges who have ruled against the Trump administration.

In a rare statement on March 18, Roberts emphasized the long-standing principle that disagreement with judicial decisions does not warrant impeachment, stating, “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.”

The context for Roberts’ remarks stems from ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary, particularly as Trump began his second term. Various Trump allies have expressed outrage over judicial rulings that they perceive as obstructing the administration’s policies. The situation intensified when Trump specifically called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg after he issued a ruling that halted the deportation of Venezuelan migrants.

In a post on social media, Trump referred to Boasberg as one of the “Crooked Judges” he encounters and insisted that the judge should be “IMPEACHED!!!” During a subsequent interview on Fox News, Trump remarked that many people had voiced concerns about Boasberg’s ruling and denied ever defying court orders. However, he categorized some judges as “bad” and questioned how to handle what he termed “rogue judges.”

Roberts’ statement was prompted by escalating calls for impeachment, particularly in light of Rep. Brandon Gill, a Republican from Texas, who announced on social media his introduction of articles of impeachment against Boasberg. Gill accused the judge of committing impeachable offenses by issuing a temporary restraining order against the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law invoked to deport certain undocumented immigrants.

Historically, the removal of federal judges has been reserved for instances of gross misconduct, such as bribery, rather than for decisions that are simply unpopular with political figures. This precedent underscores the legal and constitutional framework that Roberts sought to reaffirm in his statement.

Since Trump resumed office in January, federal judges have frequently intervened in his administration’s agenda, triggering dissatisfaction among Trump supporters and prompting further calls for impeachment. This climate of tension has raised alarms within the judiciary, as judges have expressed concerns for their safety and urged caution among public officials when discussing court rulings.

Roberts has a history of clashing with Trump, having previously criticized the former president in 2018 for labeling a judge an “Obama judge” after a ruling against the administration. In that instance, Roberts defended the integrity of the judiciary, stating, “We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges. What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them.”

Despite Roberts’ efforts to maintain the separation of powers and judicial independence, Trump has continued to employ aggressive language against judges. The Chief Justice has played significant roles in various consequential events involving Trump, including presiding over both of Trump’s impeachment trials, both of which resulted in acquittals. Additionally, he oversaw Trump’s swearing-in for a second term as president.

Roberts has occasionally ruled against Trump in Supreme Court cases, but he also authored a ruling last year affirming that Trump had broad criminal immunity concerning actions taken while contesting the 2020 election results. Following a recent address by Trump to Congress, the two were seen speaking, with Trump thanking Roberts, although the specifics of their conversation were not disclosed.

 

 

Source: NBC News