Several House Republicans are taking unprecedented steps to hold federal judges accountable for rulings that have blocked key policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The lawmakers argue that these judges are overstepping their authority and obstructing the administration’s ability to execute its agenda, prompting them to draft articles of impeachment against the jurists.
Among the rulings under scrutiny is a decision by U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer, who temporarily barred DOGE from accessing Treasury Department payment records. DOGE, led by Elon Musk, has argued that access to these records is critical for identifying and eliminating government waste.
READ: US CENTCOM Airstrike Eliminates Senior Hurras al-Din Operative In Northwest Syria
Additionally, other judges have blocked Trump’s executive order restricting transgender care for minors and halted the administration’s plan to restructure the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by placing 2,200 employees on administrative leave.
Arizona Republican Rep. Eli Crane is spearheading efforts to impeach Judge Engelmayer, accusing him of judicial overreach.
Speaking on former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s One America News Network program, Crane stated, “Our case for impeaching Judge Engelmayer is basically that he’s an activist judge trying to stop the Trump administration from executing their, you know, Article 2 powers to make sure that the laws are faithfully executed.”
Crane’s efforts have gained support from other House Republicans, including Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde, who is drafting articles of impeachment against U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. McConnell issued a ruling halting Trump’s attempts to freeze federal funding for programs the administration deems wasteful or ideologically driven.
In a post on X, Clyde wrote, “I’m drafting articles of impeachment for U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. He’s a partisan activist weaponizing our judicial system to stop President Trump’s funding freeze on woke and wasteful government spending. We must end this abusive overreach.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who chairs the House Oversight Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, has also voiced support for the impeachment efforts. While she has not explicitly stated that she is preparing articles of impeachment, Greene has pledged to hold Judge Engelmayer accountable during upcoming subcommittee hearings.
“The judiciary has become a weaponized arm of the left, and it’s time we restore balance and accountability,” Greene said in a statement. “President Trump and Elon Musk are working tirelessly to make government more efficient and effective, and these activist judges are standing in the way.”
The House of Representatives holds the authority to introduce articles of impeachment against federal judges, presidents, and other officials. However, removal from office requires a Senate conviction with a two-thirds majority vote. Currently, Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, making removal an uphill battle unless additional votes are secured.
Despite the challenges, House Republicans are determined to push forward, framing the issue as a battle over the separation of powers and the role of the judiciary.
“This is about more than just one or two rulings,” Crane said. “It’s about ensuring that the executive branch can carry out its constitutional duties without being undermined by activist judges.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.