Chief Justice John Roberts Argues For Judicial Independence After Attacks By Trump Administration

On May 7, the Western District of New York’s federal court district marked its 125th anniversary. At the celebration in Buffalo, New York, Chief Justice John Roberts highlighted the importance of judicial independence.

The Trump administration has repeatedly questioned the independence of U.S. courts. Trump officials are frequently seen criticizing and blocking court rulings. There have been concerns that judges who oppose President Donald Trump’s executive orders will be impeached.

Roberts, referring to the Constitution, stated that “the judiciary is a co-equal branch of government, separate from the others, with the authority to interpret the Constitution as law and strike down, obviously, acts of Congress or acts of the president.” This branch is a key component of the U.S. government and was an innovation when it was initially created.

“Its job is to, obviously, decide cases but, in the course of that, check the excesses of Congress or the executive, and that does require a degree of independence,” he added.

When pressed further about the calls to impeach judges who refuse to follow the president’s policies and orders, Roberts pointed to a statement he made on the issue earlier in the year, after Trump called for the impeachment of a judge whose decision he didn’t like. “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” the statement read. “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.”

In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump had partial immunity against some acts of interference in the 2020 election. Roberts penned the majority opinion in this ruling. Many critics say Roberts himself has empowered Trump to new heights of presidential overreach.

The Supreme Court has frequently sided with Trump on policy matters after lower courts blocked him.