Trump fight with ‘rogue judges’ gets backup from House GOP this week
House Republicans are making their support for the Trump administration crystal clear this week as they take on the legal battles that have been brewing over White House policy. One of the key moves made by House Republicans is the advancement of a bill that aims to limit U.S. district court judges’ ability to issue nationwide injunctions. This bill passed through the House Rules Committee in a party-line vote on Monday, setting the stage for a full chamber-wide vote.
In addition to this bill, two high-profile panels on the House Judiciary Committee are set to hold a hearing on “judicial overreach and constitutional limits on the federal courts” on Tuesday morning. This hearing, led by Rep. Chip Roy and Rep. Darrell Issa, will feature testimony from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and a victim of criminal activity linked to the terrorist organization Tren de Aragua. The hearing is expected to shed light on the ongoing legal showdown between the Trump administration and U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who recently issued a pause on deportation flights of suspected Tren de Aragua gang members.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise expressed his support for these efforts, stating that some judges have overstepped their boundaries and engaged in judicial activism. He emphasized the need to rein in these judges and ensure they do not go beyond their jurisdiction. Rep. Issa is spearheading the No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA Act) to limit the ability of district court judges to issue rulings that impact Trump policies nationwide.
While the legislation is expected to pass with minimal dissent from Republicans, there are calls from conservative lawmakers to go even further. Scalise hinted at exploring other options to address judicial overreach but did not provide specifics. Democrats, on the other hand, are pushing back against these efforts, accusing Trump of using judges as scapegoats for his policy setbacks.
House Speaker Mike Johnson recently met with Republican judiciary committee members to discuss potential strategies, including a fast-tracked appeals process and limiting “judge shopping.” Some conservatives are eager to pursue impeachment proceedings against specific judges they believe are abusing their power, although House Republican leaders are cautious about this approach.
Overall, House Republicans are united in their efforts to challenge activist judges and uphold the Trump administration’s policies. With the Senate Judiciary Committee also gearing up for a similar hearing, it’s clear that the battle over judicial overreach is far from over. Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, is closely following these developments and providing in-depth coverage of the House of Representatives.
