Mike Johnson floats eliminating federal courts

[struggle4progress]

Republican lawmakers are setting their sights on the judiciary following court rulings that have halted Trump's agenda.

March 25, 2025, 1:47 PM EDT
By Scott Wong, Melanie Zanona and Rebecca Kaplan

WASHINGTON — Facing pressure from his right flank to take on judges who have ruled against President Donald Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Tuesday floated the possibility of Congress eliminating some federal courts.

It’s the latest attack from Republicans on the federal judiciary, as courts have blocked a series of actions taken by the Trump administration. In addition to funding threats, Trump and his conservative allies have called for the impeachment of certain federal judges who have ruled against him, most notably U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who attempted to halt Trump from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants ...

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/speaker-mike-johnson-floats-eliminating-federal-courts-rcna197986

[hlthe2b]

1. Damn, I'd dearly love to see his Karmic "Comeuppance"....

Why is it the worst hypocrites can escape it for so long?

[elocs]

11. Practice. n/t

[JohnSJ]

2. I would like this maga to explain just how he would do that without violating multiple laws. Pure insanity.

[BannonsLiver]

3. When (if) order is ever restored I think capital punishment should be on the table for some of these guys.

Not a death penalty fan, but examples need to be set.

[EnergizedLib]

14. I'd love to see them all swing/fry/however

[Andy823]

4. I wonder

who could have told him to do that? Hmmmmm

[Rebl2]

5. How do

they have the right to do that.

[Igel]

9. I don't understand what you mean?

The Constitution, Art. III, sets up a judiciary that consists of the Supreme Court; the same section immediately authorizes Congress to set up inferior courts.

The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.

Presumably the authority to ordain and establish carries with it the power to de-authorize and disestablish.

[SocialDemocrat61]

6. Totalitarian regimes always attack

the courts, the media and education.

[C_U_L8R]

7. Of course he does.

That's what Hitler did.

[Pisces]

8. I hope this doesn't get swept under the rug because of all the chaos

[LetMyPeopleVote]

10. MaddowBlog-Republican leaders eye extreme alternatives to impeaching federal judges

Congress’ GOP leaders don’t see the point in trying to impeach judges, but they have some dramatic alternatives in mind that are nearly as radical.
https://bsky.app/profile/stevebenen.com/post/3ll7vj6jzwc2m

As Republicans rage over judges who dare to rule in ways the White House doesn't like, House Speaker Mike Johnson noted this morning that Congress has the authority to "eliminate an entire district court."

This sort of talk is quite bonkers.

Link to tweet

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republican-leaders-eye-extreme-alternatives-impeaching-federal-judges-rcna198004

On Capitol Hill, however, GOP leaders don’t seem overly eager to launch impeachment crusades against judges who’ve done nothing wrong, and who would never be removed by a two-thirds majority in the Senate.

So, what’s a partisan congressional leader to do? The answer, evidently, is to consider some radical alternatives to impeachment. Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman, an MSNBC contributor, spoke with House Speaker Mike Johnson, and the Louisiana Republican shared one possible approach:

We do have authority over the federal courts. As you know, we can, we can eliminate an entire district court. ... We have power, funding over the courts and all these other things. But desperate times call for desperate measures and Congress is going to act so stay tuned for that.

Sherman noted soon after that the House speaker clarified that he didn’t mean this as a direct threat. “I’m trying to illustrate we have a broad scope of authority over the courts,” Johnson added.

And as part of this “broad scope” of congressional authority over the courts, what’s on the table? Quite a bit, actually. Over the course of the last week or so, Republican lawmakers have opened the door to a series of possible alternatives to judicial impeachments. GOP officials are considering:

Legislation to bar district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions.

Blocking funding for district courts that issued rulings that Trump doesn’t like.

Holding House and Senate hearings to focus attention on judges who’ve issued rulings that Trump doesn’t like.

It was against this backdrop that the House speaker brought up his belief that Congress could “eliminate an entire district court.”

[Maru Kitteh]

12. He'll sputter about it then hope it goes away, like always.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

13. Not enough votes in the Senate to convict ANY Federal Judge upholding the US Constitution.

Not going to happen, Mikey!!!

[rickyhall]

15. Throw this mudcat back in the crik now.