Speaker Mike Johnson gives verdict on House plan to impeach anti-Trump judges
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, has indicated that there is little enthusiasm among House GOP leaders for pursuing judicial impeachments. While he did not completely rule out the possibility of impeachment, Johnson stressed that the bar for such actions is high and that garnering enough votes in the House and Senate would be an uphill battle.
Johnson highlighted a bill passed by the House earlier this year, aimed at curbing federal district judges from issuing nationwide injunctions in most cases, as a potential solution to combat activist judges. He referred to the bill as a “silver bullet” against judges who overstep their bounds.
Despite not completely ruling out impeachment, Johnson emphasized the rarity of such actions in the country’s history, with only 15 federal judges having been impeached. He acknowledged that even if the House were to pass an impeachment article against a federal judge, it would be unlikely to result in a conviction in the Senate given the current political divide.
In response to calls for impeachment from some conservatives, Johnson pointed to the No Rogue Rulings Act introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa as a viable alternative. The bill would prevent individual judges from issuing nationwide injunctions that halt an administration’s policies.
While some conservatives may push for impeachment through a “privileged” resolution, Johnson cautioned that such a move would likely fail in the Senate. He stressed the importance of finding alternative solutions to address concerns related to activist judges.
The debate over judicial impeachments comes amidst ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the courts over various policies. Republicans have criticized court rulings as politically motivated, while Democrats have accused the White House of undermining the judiciary’s independence.
Despite these tensions, the Trump administration has maintained that it is following all lawful court orders while pushing back against what it perceives as activist judges. The issue remains a point of contention in Washington, with both parties grappling over the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, covering developments in the House of Representatives. Her work has been featured in publications such as the Daily Mail and CBS News. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and reach out with tips at elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.
