Trump promotes treason and sedition theory for judges who block his agenda

• President Trump promoted an essay that said treason and sedition charges could be brought against federal judges who block his agenda. The president shared the article as part of a string of attacks on judges who have ruled against him.
• The essay was published in a far-right outlet that is known for sharing hoaxes and false reports.
• The Trump administration is trying to get a restraining order lifted to continue deportation flights for alleged Venezuelan gang members.

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President Trump promoted an essay about treason and sedition charges for judges who rule against his agenda the day before an appeals court heard oral arguments in a case regarding his deportation policy.

How did Trump show his support for the essay?

On the night of Sunday, March 23, President Trump shared an article on Truth Social written by Yaacov Apelbaum titled “Activist Judges and the Overreach of Judicial Authority: A Case for Sedition and Treason.” It was published in The Gateway Pundit, a far-right outlet known for publishing hoaxes and conspiracy theories. The outlet previously filed for bankruptcy after being sued for defamation by multiple plaintiffs.

In the essay, Apelbaum argues judges commit acts tantamount to treason and sedition when they exceed their constitutional authority by obstructing executive actions without legitimate constitutional grounds.

What’s happening?

On Monday, March 24, a three-judge panel heard oral arguments in the case regarding the Trump administration’s deportations of alleged Venezuelan gang members. The White House was appealing a restraining order placed on the deportation flights to El Salvador. 

The White House invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport more than 200 alleged Venezuelan gang members. The wartime law allows the president to deport individuals from “enemy” nations without standard due process.

District Court Judge James Boasberg then implemented an order blocking the move on March 15. He had determined those slated for deportation would likely succeed in appealing for a hearing to decide whether or not they’re truly in a gang.

Will the judge be impeached?

President Trump called for Judge Boasberg’s impeachment, an attack that drew a rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

“For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” Roberts said. “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.”

Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, introduced articles of impeachment against Boasberg, accusing him of overstepping his authority. The articles had more than a dozen cosponsors.