The White House intensified its criticism of federal judges on Wednesday, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to address what it described as “activist” judicial overreach hindering President Donald Trump’s policy agenda. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused judges of engaging in partisan obstruction, urging the nation’s highest court to intervene.
“We have judges who are acting as partisan activists from the bench,” Leavitt told reporters. “They are trying to dictate policy from the president of the United States, clearly attempting to slow-walk this administration’s agenda, and it is unacceptable.”
The statement comes amid heightened tensions following a ruling by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who temporarily blocked the administration’s efforts to deport migrants under an 18th-century statute. President Trump responded by demanding Boasberg’s impeachment, escalating a standoff between the executive branch and the judiciary.
Judicial Showdown: Trump vs. the Courts
Trump’s call for Boasberg’s removal sparked immediate pushback from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who emphasized that legal disputes should be resolved through the appeals process rather than impeachment. Nevertheless, Trump continued his attacks, branding Boasberg a “Radical Left Lunatic Judge” in a social media post, accusing him of overstepping his judicial authority.
The administration’s stance has been echoed by key allies. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller reiterated Trump’s criticism, while billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk denounced another judge who temporarily blocked the enforcement of Trump’s executive order banning transgender individuals from military service. Musk characterized the judicial resistance as a “judicial coup” and urged Congress to take action against judges obstructing the administration’s policies.
Legal scholars warn that the escalating rhetoric could lead to a constitutional crisis if the administration defies judicial rulings. Under the U.S. Constitution, federal judges hold authority independent of the executive branch, making any challenge to their rulings a potential breach of legal norms.
Supreme Court’s Role in Trump’s Legal Battles
Despite Roberts’ rebuke, the Trump administration remains determined to push its legal battles to the Supreme Court, believing the conservative-leaning bench will ultimately side with the White House. The Court’s current 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices appointed by Trump, fueling optimism among his advisers that the administration will secure favorable rulings.
A senior White House official acknowledged the difficulty of impeaching federal judges, given the constitutional requirements. Removing a judge requires a majority vote in the House of Representatives and a two-thirds majority in the Senate—an unlikely scenario despite Republican control of both chambers.
Nonetheless, some GOP leaders are keeping their options open. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s spokesperson stated that he “looks forward to working with the Judiciary Committee as they review all available options.” House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan’s office echoed the sentiment, asserting that “all options are on the table.”
Judicial Hurdles for the Trump Administration
While Trump has secured key legal victories in his broader effort to shrink the federal bureaucracy and curb foreign aid spending, numerous policy initiatives continue to face legal roadblocks. Judges have halted the administration’s attempts to restrict birthright citizenship, freeze substantial financial assistance, and restructure government agencies.
In a recent setback, a federal judge blocked Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency from proceeding with plans to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, ruling that the move likely violated constitutional provisions.
As legal clashes intensify, the White House remains resolute in its push for judicial reforms, setting the stage for further confrontations between the executive branch and the judiciary in the coming months.
