A new poll indicates that a majority of Republicans support the idea of federal judges reviewing Donald Trump’s policies, despite strong criticism from Trump and his ally, billionaire Elon Musk, against judges who have blocked or challenged these policies.
According to the CBS News and YouGov survey, 56% of Republican respondents agreed that federal judges should have the power to review the president’s actions, while 44% disagreed. This stance contrasts with the views of Democrats and independents, with overwhelming support for judicial review from both groups (91% and 83%, respectively).
Trump and Musk Criticize Judges, Republicans Support Judicial Review and Impeachment Efforts
Donald Trump and Elon Musk have both criticized federal judges who have delayed or blocked executive orders and actions from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which have faced legal scrutiny. Trump has specifically targeted what he terms “Radical Left Judges” in his posts on social media platforms. The former president has even called for the impeachment of federal judges who oppose his policies, raising concerns among some of his supporters about the impartiality and fairness of the judiciary.
Republican Majority Backs Judicial Review of Trump’s Policies Despite Criticism from Trump and MuskWhile many Republicans support judicial review, a significant portion, 59%, also backs the idea of impeaching judges who rule against Trump’s policies. This contrasts sharply with the views of Democrats and independents, who 81% and 73%, respectively, oppose the notion of judicial impeachment. The poll highlights a growing divide in attitudes towards the judicial system, with Republican respondents more likely to view impeachment as a response to unfavorable court decisions.
Impeachment Efforts Face Significant Political and Legal Hurdles in Congress and Courts
Despite the strong support among Republicans for impeaching judges, the likelihood of such efforts succeeding in Congress is slim. Even if Republicans in the House were able to push through an impeachment, it would require 67 Senate votes for conviction, which is highly improbable given the GOP’s current 53-seat majority. Additionally, impeachment would require clear evidence of crime or serious misconduct, which is not present in most judicial rulings against Trump’s policies.
The push to impeach federal judges has faced pushback from various quarters, including Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who emphasized the importance of judicial independence.
Roberts criticized the notion that impeachment could be used to counter judicial decisions, reinforcing the principle that judicial disagreements should be addressed through the appellate process. As Trump’s legal battles continue, appeals to higher courts, including the Supreme Court, are likely, though the final outcomes remain uncertain, especially with the current conservative-majority court.