In a significant pivot, Speaker Mike Johnson has voiced his support for the impeachment of judges who have issued rulings counter to President Donald Trump's policies. This development marks a departure from Johnson's previous position, where he had attempted to curb such actions within his party.

"I'm for it," Johnson declared during his weekly news conference on Wednesday when asked if he would back the impeachment of judges adverse to the administration's directives. This statement underscores a growing faction within the Republican party that is increasingly willing to challenge judicial authority.

Central to this controversy is U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who last year faced criticism from Trump’s allies after his decision that the administration's sudden deportation of 137 men violated their due process rights. This ruling, which also found the administration defied court orders to retain the men in U.S. custody, has made Boasberg a target for those advocating for judicial impeachments.

Over the summer, Johnson had worked to temper the zeal for Boasberg's removal, yet recent weeks have seen a resurgence in the push for judicial impeachment. Influential figures such as Senator Ted Cruz of Texas have reached out to Johnson, pressing for the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Boasberg. Concurrently, the Judiciary committees in both the House and Senate have been actively engaging in hearings regarding this matter.

Judicial activist Mike Davis recently discussed the logistics of impeaching Boasberg with the Republican Study Committee, indicating the party’s lack of sufficient votes to actualize the impeachment or removal of Boasberg or similar figures. However, Davis suggested that the process itself could serve as a punitive measure.

Acknowledging the gravity of such a measure, Johnson admitted that impeachment is "an extreme measure" and expressed a cautious attitude towards its potential progress. Nevertheless, he stressed the need for Congress to address what he views as judicial overreach. "Some of these judges have gotten so far outside the bounds of where they're supposed to operate," Johnson noted, adding that making an example of such cases could be beneficial for reinforcing legislative boundaries.

This endorsement from Johnson not only highlights the ongoing tensions between the executive and judicial branches but also signals potential shifts in how the Republican party handles opposition within the judiciary. As this situation develops, it will undoubtedly attract significant attention and debate over the balance of power and the role of impeachment in American governance.