On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Reuters reported that a Republican lawmaker initiated an effort to impeach a U.S. district judge over a ruling on foreign aid, marking the third such attempt by conservative members of the U.S. House of Representatives to remove federal judges from the bench. Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee filed a resolution targeting U.S. District Judge Amir Ali in Washington, accusing him of overstepping his authority by ordering President Donald Trump’s administration to release nearly all frozen foreign aid funds to contractors and grant recipients.

The resolution came just one day after U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a pause on Judge Ali’s order, which had mandated the administration to distribute the funds. Ali, appointed by Trump’s predecessor, President Joe Biden, was accused by Ogles of committing high crimes and misdemeanors by undermining the president’s constitutional authority to oversee foreign policy, as granted under Article II of the U.S. Constitution. The resolution claimed that Ali’s ruling blatantly disregarded constitutional precedent and was incompatible with his role as a district court judge. Ali did not provide a response to requests for comment.

Under the U.S. Constitution, federal judges can be impeached for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. The process requires the House to pass articles of impeachment with a simple majority, followed by a Senate trial where a two-thirds majority is needed to convict and remove the judge. Although Republicans currently hold majorities in both the House and Senate, they lack the two-thirds majority in the Senate necessary to secure a conviction.

These impeachment efforts have gained support from a small group of House Republicans, including Ogles, alongside influential figures such as billionaire Elon Musk, who have criticized judges for rulings that obstruct Trump’s policies. In recent days, similar resolutions have been filed against two other federal judges—U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan and U.S. District Judge John Bates in Washington—for decisions opposing Trump’s initiatives and the government cost-cutting efforts led by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Democratic lawmakers, law professors, and various legal organizations have condemned these moves as inappropriate, arguing they threaten the independence of the judiciary. Nevertheless, Republican proponents remain steadfast.

On the evening prior to filing the resolution, Ogles hosted a YouTube event called an “impeachathon,” featuring Representatives Eli Crane and Andrew Clyde, where they discussed targeting what they described as activist judges opposing the president. During the event, Ogles showcased a poster highlighting 11 judges whose rulings have at least temporarily stalled Trump’s agenda.

The impeachment resolutions have been forwarded to the House Judiciary Committee, which has yet to take action on them.

 

 

Source: Reuters