Push to impeach anti-Trump judges fizzles out among House GOP
There appears to be little appetite within the House GOP to pursue the impeachment of judges who have blocked President Donald Trump’s agenda. Instead, Republican lawmakers are rallying around a bill led by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., to limit the ability of U.S. district court judges to issue nationwide injunctions. The bill is scheduled for a House floor vote next week.
During a closed-door Republican conference meeting on Tuesday morning, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., indicated that Issa’s bill would be a more effective message against what they perceive as “activist” judges. “Impeachment has been reserved for judges with high crimes and misdemeanors, not because you disagree with his decisions,” one House GOP lawmaker said of Johnson’s message.
House GOP Policy Conference Chair Kevin Hern, R-Okla., expressed doubt about the feasibility of impeachment efforts, stating, “I don’t think so.” He emphasized that Issa’s bill was the most viable option currently available.
While Johnson did not directly address impeachment during his weekly press conference, he mentioned that the House Judiciary Committee was exploring alternatives. He praised Issa’s bill as a significant improvement in limiting the scope of federal injunctions.
Several conservative lawmakers have introduced resolutions to impeach judges who have obstructed Trump’s agenda. One such resolution, put forth by Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, targets U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who is embroiled in a legal battle with the Department of Justice over deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.
Although Trump previously called for Boasberg’s impeachment, the focus has shifted towards supporting Issa’s bill. While some conservatives advocate for impeachment, there are doubts about its success given the Senate’s current makeup.
Despite support for impeachment resolutions growing, there are concerns about the feasibility of passing such measures in the House. Some lawmakers believe that the appeals process should be utilized to address judicial overreach rather than resorting to impeachment.
The House Judiciary Committee is set to hold a hearing on activist judges, followed by a House-wide vote on Issa’s bill. This legislation aims to address concerns about nationwide injunctions issued by U.S. district court judges. The focus remains on legislative measures to curb judicial activism rather than pursuing impeachment as a solution.
