Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts on January 20, 2025. Photo credit: House Creative Services
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March 19, 2025
Can a president impeach a judge for a ruling they don’t like? This lesson explores the rare public clash between Chief Justice John Roberts and President Trump over judicial independence, impeachment, and the separation of powers. Students will analyze the role of the courts in checking executive power and debate what constitutes a constitutional crisis.
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In a rare public clash, Chief Justice John Roberts pushed back against President Trump’s call to impeach a judge who ruled against him in a deportation case. Trump was frustrated that a judge blocked his plan to deport individuals to El Salvador, but Roberts responded by saying judges shouldn’t be impeached for their rulings—appeals exist for that reason.
This situation is unusual and important because the executive and judicial branches are openly at odds, raising questions about the separation of powers. Roberts, who was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court by President George W. Bush in 2005 and is considered a conservative moderate, has historically defended judicial independence. His public response highlights how even conservative-leaning judges push back against executive overreach when they believe it threatens the integrity of the courts.
Watch the video below with students, then proceed to the questions and activities.
Note: Encourage students to analyze language, tone, and omitted details to assess bias and perspective.
Students will research a historical case where a U.S. president clashed with the judicial branch.
They should analyze:
Potential case studies:
Students can present their findings through:
Want to learn more about the limits of presidential power? This lesson breaks down what presidents can and can’t do under the Constitution and how checks and balances work.
