House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is walking a political tightrope as he navigates mounting pressure from President Donald Trump and his allies to rein in federal judges who have been blocking key elements of the administration’s agenda. Rather than taking the politically fraught step of impeaching judges outright, Johnson is rallying support for legislation aimed at curbing judicial overreach—an approach he hopes will achieve the same objective without triggering a constitutional showdown.
With frustration growing among conservatives over the ability of individual district judges to issue sweeping nationwide injunctions, Johnson has thrown his support behind the “No Rogue Rulings Act,” a bill introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA). The proposed legislation would limit the scope of a district judge’s ruling, preventing them from enacting nationwide bans on policies such as deportations or agency shutdowns. The bill offers Johnson a potential path forward as he seeks to address concerns about judicial interference while avoiding media-fueled accusations of undermining the judiciary.
“For too long, activist judges have overstepped their constitutional authority and imposed nationwide rulings that disrupt the entire country based on a single case,” Issa stated in a press release. “This legislation is a constitutional fix to a growing problem, and I’m confident it will pass through the House and Senate.”
Hardline Republicans, including Reps. Andrew Clyde (R-GA) and Andy Ogles (R-TN), have introduced separate bills calling for the impeachment of specific judges, most notably U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who recently blocked the Trump administration’s deportation of Venezuelan illegal immigrants. While these impeachment efforts have gained traction among the GOP’s conservative wing, Johnson has indicated that the broader Republican caucus lacks the votes to pursue impeachment successfully, particularly in the face of staunch Democratic opposition.
Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) has backed Issa’s bill, calling it a necessary step to prevent judicial overreach. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) confirmed that the bill is scheduled for a floor vote next week, signaling strong institutional support within Republican leadership.
Johnson, a former constitutional attorney, has expressed his own concerns about judicial activism but remains wary of pursuing impeachment as a primary solution. “I do think the line is being crossed right now,” he said in a recent interview. Reflecting on his legal career, he added, “I never walked out of those courtrooms thinking that I could impeach those judges. I just got as quickly as I could to the appellate court to get them overturned.”
However, Johnson acknowledged the growing discontent among conservatives and the need for legislative action. “Something’s happening right now. Something’s amiss. I think we’ve got to address it,” he said, underscoring the urgency of curbing what he and other Republicans see as excessive judicial interference with executive authority.
With tensions rising and Trump’s calls for impeachment growing louder, Johnson’s balancing act will be closely watched. Whether his approach will satisfy both Trump and his congressional colleagues remains to be seen, but the fight over judicial authority is shaping up to be a defining battle in the months ahead.