House Conservatives Renew Impeachment Efforts Against Judges
Following Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-Louisiana) agreement earlier this week, House conservatives are once again pushing to impeach judges they accuse of undermining President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Representative Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), who was part of the conservative group advocating for impeachment last year, stated, “I spoke to him on the House floor and he still supports it, so we’re going to push for at least one piece of progress,” in a conversation with Fox News Digital on Thursday evening.
Last year, Ogles introduced impeachment articles against U.S. District Judge John Bates, who blocked Trump’s executive order concerning transgender recognition, as well as against U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang, who ruled against a crackdown on foreign aid by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Criticism of Trump’s Attorney General
However, previous attempts to pass these impeachment resolutions did not succeed. House Republican leaders believe that impeachment is not a viable solution to counter what they describe as “activist judges” whose rulings interfere with policy interpretation.
Instead, Johnson, alongside other leaders, favored a bill from Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) aimed at limiting local judges’ capacity to issue nationwide injunctions. This bill made it through the House along party lines last year but did not progress in the Senate.
In a recent news conference, however, Johnson appeared to back the concept of impeachment more enthusiastically, stating, “I’m for it.”
Targeting Judge James Boasberg
He specifically mentioned U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who has come under fire from Republicans for his decisions in notable immigration cases that relate to Trump’s policies. This includes actions involving sending immigrants to El Salvador rather than detaining them in the U.S.
Boasberg further drew Republican ire after his support for the former special counsel Jack Smith’s decision to access phone records of some Republican lawmakers during an investigation named Arctic Frost.
The impeachment resolution concerning Boasberg, led by Representative Brandon Gill (R-Texas), gained traction among conservatives last year. Gill expressed optimism about Johnson’s comments, noting, “I’m excited to see him join us. I think his leadership will be critical to passing this bill.”
Gill remarked that it was premature to predict a House vote but mentioned he has been in touch with Johnson’s office about the bill’s progression, indicating it’s “on the right track.”
Two new Republican co-sponsors have joined Boasberg’s impeachment proposal after Johnson’s recent statements, according to someone familiar with the developments.
Support from Fellow Republicans
Other House Republicans who were part of last year’s impeachment efforts reaffirmed their support this time around. “I’m all for it,” stated Representative Andrew Clyde from Georgia, describing Boasberg as one of the most prominent judicial activists in the court.
Representative Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) added that Johnson’s backing could amplify pressure on the issue, commending Johnson’s reputation as a respected constitutional lawyer.
Representative Lance Gooden (R-Texas), who is part of the House Judiciary Committee, observed a shift in enthusiasm regarding impeachment compared to previous sessions, noting how the ongoing issues may spur accountability for judges like Boasberg.
Cautious Voices Among Republicans
Yet, not all Republicans share this enthusiasm. Andy Harris (R-Md.), the House Freedom Caucus Chairman, expressed uncertainty about whether the impeachment case could effectively move through legislative committees to reach a full House vote.
Blake Moore (R-Utah), the House Republican Conference Vice-Chairman, mentioned that while he thinks impeachment should be considered seriously, he isn’t clear on the specifics of the efforts being made.
Moore praised Issa’s bill for being a constructive approach, stating, “This is a very innovative solution in a very healthy way.”
