Trump's Call for Impeachment of Judge Draws Rare Criticism from Chief Justice
In Washington, President Donald Trump has sparked a rare public criticism from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court after demanding the impeachment of a judge he labeled a "radical left lunatic." This comes amid growing tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary.
The administration's anger was triggered when James Boasberg, the chief judge of Washington's federal district court, halted the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members detained by immigration officials under an infrequently used wartime law.
This legal battle is one of many facing Trump's policies, but it has become particularly significant. The administration has been accused of ignoring or deliberately defying the judge's order to stop the deportations and recall planes already in flight.
Following a hearing, Trump took to social media to urge Congress to remove Boasberg, describing him as a "radical left lunatic of a judge" and a "troublemaker" appointed by Barack Obama. Trump insisted he was fulfilling the voters' wishes and called for the judge's impeachment, arguing against allowing dangerous criminals into the country.
In response, a Republican congressman from Texas, Brandon Gill, introduced impeachment articles against Boasberg, accusing him of causing a constitutional crisis.
Chief Justice John Roberts, appointed by George W. Bush, issued a rare public statement rebuking Trump's remarks, emphasizing that impeachment is not a suitable response to judicial disagreements. He highlighted the appellate review process as the appropriate avenue for such disputes.
While Trump was engaged in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the Ukraine conflict, he had not yet addressed the Chief Justice's comments.
The administration appears to be taking a firm stance against alleged migrant criminals and those they accuse of supporting them, including Democrats, activists, and judges. In a fiery interview, Trump's border advisor Tom Homan declared the administration's intent to continue their actions regardless of judicial opinions.
Stephen Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff, criticized the judge's decision to halt the deportations as "outrageous." The administration claimed compliance with the judge's final written orders but questioned the validity of earlier verbal instructions.
Meanwhile, the administration faced another legal setback when a federal judge in Maryland ruled that dismantling the US Agency for International Development likely violated the Constitution. Judge Theodore Chuang blocked further cuts to the agency, ordering the restoration of email and computer access for all employees.
Additionally, a federal judge in Washington, DC, blocked Trump's executive order banning transgender individuals from military service, citing potential constitutional violations and allowing time for an appeal.
Judge Ana Reyes acknowledged the potential for heated debate and appeals, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and respect for those who serve.