White House Endorses Impeachment Push Targeting 'Rogue' Judges Over Partisan Rulings

The White House has publicly endorsed congressional efforts to pursue impeachment for two federal judges whom Republican lawmakers accuse of issuing partisan or "rogue" rulings, a White House official told Fox News Digital. The announcement comes as a Senate Judiciary Committee inquiry focuses on U.S. District Judges James Boasberg (D.D.C.) and Deborah Boardman (D. Md.).

A White House official told Fox News Digital that the administration is closely tracking the Senate Judiciary Committee’s impeachment inquiry involving U.S. District Judge James Boasberg.

What the White House Said

A White House official described certain judges as "left-wing, activist judges" who have "gone totally rogue," saying they have "undermined the rule of law in service of their own radical agenda" and that impeachment efforts are justified. The official added that President Donald Trump must be able to "lawfully implement the agenda the American people elected him on," arguing judges who repeatedly issue partisan rulings have abused their offices and forfeited claims to impartiality.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is among Republican lawmakers calling for Boasberg and Boardman to be impeached.

Allegations Against The Judges

• Judge James Boasberg: Targeted by Republicans for several rulings involving Trump-era immigration policies, including decisions about transferring migrants to countries such as El Salvador rather than continuing detention in the United States. Boasberg also drew GOP scrutiny after reports that he signed warrants in special counsel Jack Smith’s "Arctic Frost" probe that allowed investigators to seize phone records linked to some Republican lawmakers. He faced articles of impeachment in March 2025 and again in November 2025 related to those matters.
• Judge Deborah Boardman: Faces criticism over a sentencing decision for a defendant convicted on charges tied to an alleged plot to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh; Boardman sentenced the defendant to eight years in prison, below a 30-year recommendation, which drew calls for impeachment from some GOP lawmakers.

Political Response And Process

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and House Speaker Mike Johnson have publicly voiced support for pursuing impeachment. Cruz told a Senate Judiciary subcommittee that both judges "meet the constitutional standard for impeachment," while Speaker Johnson said at a press briefing that some judges have "gotten so far outside the bounds of where they're supposed to operate" that congressional action would be appropriate.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson also threw his support behind impeaching "rogue" judges.

Under the Constitution, federal judges may be impeached by the House of Representatives for misconduct or abuse of office; removal requires conviction by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.

Democratic Pushback And Safety Concerns

Democrats have warned that partisan impeachment rhetoric risks escalating threats and harassment against judges and their families. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged caution in a letter to Speaker Johnson, noting reports of threats, alleged "swatting" attempts and other intimidation tactics. Whitehouse said the Department of Justice has not fully assured lawmakers it is investigating whether those threats are being orchestrated.

Other Developments

Both judges declined a Senate invitation to testify on Jan. 7 and have not publicly commented on impeachment talk. Legal maneuvers connected to related probes have continued: allied lawyers for the former president have moved to block Department of Justice testimony in a contempt investigation tied to Boasberg, a step observers say raises the stakes in ongoing court battles.

Context: Impeachment is rare and politically fraught—removal requires a high bar in the Senate—yet the White House's endorsement signals that the dispute over judicial decisions has escalated into a major partisan confrontation in Washington.