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House GOP Launches Surprise Move That Could Reshape the Judiciary

March 25, 2025
by The Times Of America

House GOP Proposes Bill Aimed at Curbing ‘Rogue’ Judges, Johnson Supports

In a move to limit the power of federal judges following mounting criticism from President Donald Trump and his allies, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is backing legislation aimed at restricting nationwide injunctions.

The proposed bill, introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), would prevent district judges from issuing broad rulings that block federal policies, such as deportation bans or agency closures. Johnson’s support comes as he balances White House pressure while steering clear of politically risky impeachment efforts against judges.

Issa’s legislation, known as the “No Rogue Rulings Act,” seeks to rein in what he describes as judicial overreach, Trending Politics reports.

“We have a major malfunction in our federal judiciary, and practically every week another judge casts aside the tradition of restraint from the bench and opts to be the Trump resistance in robes,” Issa said in a statement to NBC News.

The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), has expressed support for the measure. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) confirmed that the bill is scheduled for a vote next week.

If passed in the House, the bill will face an uphill battle in the Senate, where it is likely to encounter significant opposition.

Trump has been vocal in his criticism of federal judges who have ruled against his policies, urging congressional Republicans to take action, including impeachment. Some GOP lawmakers, such as Reps. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) and Andy Ogles (R-TN), have filed impeachment resolutions targeting specific judges, including U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who recently halted the deportation of Venezuelan illegal immigrants.

However, Johnson has signaled caution in pursuing impeachment, citing the lack of Republican votes needed to push such efforts forward.

“I do think the line is being crossed right now,” Johnson said, referring to the growing number of court rulings against the Trump administration.

A former constitutional attorney who previously litigated religious liberty cases, Johnson emphasized that his legal strategy had always been to seek appellate court reversals rather than impeachment, as noted by TP.

“I never walked out of those courtrooms thinking that I could impeach those judges,” he said. “I just got as quickly as I could to the appellate court to get them overturned.”

Conservative lawmakers have long expressed frustration with the judiciary, particularly in cases where judges have intervened in executive actions. The issue of judicial overreach has been a rallying cry among Trump supporters, who argue that unelected judges should not have the power to block policies enacted by an elected administration.

Johnson’s endorsement of the “No Rogue Rulings Act” signals a strategic approach to addressing these concerns without engaging in a protracted impeachment battle that could divide the GOP and energize Democrats.

Despite his hesitation on impeachment, Johnson’s support for Issa’s bill signals an effort to address conservative concerns over judicial decisions that have impeded Trump’s policies. While the legislation could provide an alternative to impeachment, it is expected to face opposition from Democrats, who have criticized efforts to curtail judicial authority.

As reporters have increasingly suggested that Trump may ignore federal court rulings in the future, Issa’s bill offers Republicans a legal framework to push back against what they see as judicial overreach. Johnson’s backing of the bill aligns with a broader GOP strategy to limit the power of federal courts while avoiding the politically charged battle over impeachment.

With a vote expected next week, the legislation is expected to test Republican unity and set the stage for a broader debate over the judiciary’s role in checking executive power. If successful, the bill could redefine the balance of power between the legislative and judicial branches, a development that would have lasting implications for future administrations.

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