WASHINGTON, USA — Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public statement on Tuesday, rejecting President Donald Trump’s calls for the impeachment of federal judges who have ruled against his administration.
The statement, released by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, comes as Trump intensifies his attacks on the judiciary, singling out U.S. District Judge James Boasberg for blocking recent deportations of Venezuelan nationals.
“For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” Roberts said.
“The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.”
While Roberts did not directly name Trump, the timing of his comments left little doubt about their target.
Hours earlier, the president had demanded Boasberg’s removal, describing him on social media as a “Radical Left Lunatic” and “troublemaker” appointed by former President Barack Obama.
“This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
A Clash Over Judicial Independence
Trump’s calls to remove judges have gained traction among his allies. Rep. Brandon Gill, a Texas Republican, announced on Tuesday that he had introduced articles of impeachment against Boasberg.
Meanwhile, billionaire Elon Musk has also advocated for removing federal judges amid a series of legal defeats for the administration.
Despite Trump’s escalating rhetoric, he insisted in an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on Tuesday night that he would not defy judicial rulings.
“No, I never did defy a court order … you can’t do that,” Trump said.
“However, we have bad judges, we have very bad judges, and these are judges that shouldn’t be allowed – I think at a certain point you have to start looking at, what do you do when you have a rogue judge?”
The administration’s legal battles have raised concerns about the separation of powers. Roberts, as chief justice, has historically refrained from wading into political disputes, making Tuesday’s statement all the more notable.
It echoes a 2018 rebuke of Trump, when Roberts rejected the president’s claim that some judges were politically motivated.
“We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges,” Roberts said at the time.
“What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them.”
Legal Battles Intensify
The latest judicial controversy stems from Boasberg’s temporary order halting the deportation of certain Venezuelan migrants.
Trump’s administration has argued that the expulsions were justified under the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law that permits deportations of individuals from hostile nations during wartime or in cases of “invasion or predatory incursion.”
Opponents, including civil rights groups and legal scholars, have countered that the U.S. is not officially at war and that Trump’s expansive definition of an “invasion” raises constitutional concerns.
The Justice Department has insisted that the administration complied with Boasberg’s ruling, arguing that the Venezuelan nationals removed from the U.S. were subject to other deportation orders.
As legal challenges mount, the Supreme Court may ultimately have to resolve the dispute. With a 6-3 conservative majority—including three justices appointed by Trump—the court has often ruled in the former president’s favour.
However, recent emergency orders since his return to the White House have gone against him, fueling further tensions.
Roberts’ Role in a Shifting Court
Roberts’ relationship with conservatives has been complex. While he has sided with them on key issues such as gun rights, abortion, and affirmative action, he has also drawn their ire—most notably in 2012 when he upheld the Affordable Care Act.
His recent role in granting former presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution has led critics to argue that he helped enable Trump’s latest challenges to judicial authority.
Gabe Roth, executive director of the watchdog group Fix the Court, acknowledged the importance of Roberts’ statement but criticised his broader judicial legacy.
“It’s a little rich coming from the guy that, by giving Donald Trump near-total immunity in a major decision last year, helped usher in the present era of lawlessness,” Roth said.
As Trump and his allies continue to challenge the authority of federal judges, the Supreme Court’s response—or lack thereof—could shape the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches in the months ahead.
