Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie warned President Donald Trump on Sunday that calling for the impeachment of judges who rule against his administration could alienate Chief Justice John Roberts and harm Trump’s Supreme Court chances.
“If he continues to make statements like, ‘Impeach judges I disagree with,’ he’s going to irritate the Supreme Court so much that they may not give him everything he wants,” Christie, who ran unsuccessfully for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said in an interview with ABC’s “This Week.”
In a Tuesday Truth Social post, Trump called for the impeachment of “many” of the judges who appear before his administration, specifically D.C. federal trial Judge James Boasberg, who ruled against one of Trump’s deportation policies. Within hours of that post, Roberts delivered a rare rebuke to the president’s public remarks.
“Impeachment has been established for over two centuries as an inappropriate response to disagreement over a judicial decision. “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose,” Roberts said, avoiding naming Trump.
Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, responded by filing articles of impeachment against Boasberg, but it is unclear whether House leadership will allow them to proceed.
In a Thursday Truth Social post, Trump appeared to respond to the chief justice by urging Roberts and his colleagues to rein in lower court judges who handle cases for the new administration.
“If Justice Roberts and the United States Supreme Court do not fix this toxic and unprecedented situation IMMEDIATELY, our Country is in very serious trouble!” he tweeted.
Judges in a number of cases have questioned the legality of recent Trump executive actions involving deportation, federal worker firings, transgender women in prison, and other issues. The Trump administration is expected to appeal a variety of cases that could end up before the Supreme Court.
Christie, a former federal prosecutor, stated Sunday that he believes Roberts agrees with Trump “on the majority of executive power issues.”
But the one-time Trump supporter, who later became one of the president’s top critics, argued that picking a fight with the chief justice could negatively impact what happens for Trump at the highest court in the land.
“What John Roberts values most is the independence and reputation of the court. And if Trump makes him look like he’s in his pocket, it could backfire,” Christie stated.
“So, tactically, Trump should keep quiet about the judges. “Don’t make Justice – Chief Justice – Roberts come after you,” Christie said.
While the Roberts Court has repeatedly criticized the Trump administration’s actions, the president and his supporters have not always seen the chief justice as an adversary.
Critics have accused the justice of providing legal cover for Trump, particularly in the 2024 Supreme Court decision he authored, which shielded Trump – and possibly other past and future presidents – from criminal prosecution for various official acts while in office.
