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Tech billionaire Elon Musk has escalated his attacks on the judiciary, calling for a "wave of judicial impeachments" in response to court rulings that have blocked parts of President Donald Trump’s agenda.
His remarks come as the Trump administration faces increasing legal challenges over its efforts to overhaul the federal government, with judges temporarily halting several key initiatives.
“There needs to be an immediate wave of judicial impeachments, not just one,” Musk posted on his social platform, X, on Wednesday. His comment was in response to claims that U.S. District Judge John Bates had a conflict of interest after ruling against a Trump administration policy.
The ruling ordered federal health agencies to restore online datasets that had been removed following an executive order from Trump prohibiting the government from promoting “gender ideology.” The lawsuit, filed by Doctors for America (DFA), argued that the data removal violated federal law, and Bates agreed to temporarily reinstate it while the case proceeds.
Musk and the X user he responded to did not provide any evidence for the claim of judicial bias, but the billionaire’s attack on the judiciary highlights his growing frustration with legal roadblocks against the Trump administration’s efforts.
This is not the first time Musk has called for the removal of a federal judge. He previously demanded impeachment for another judge who temporarily blocked his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury Department data.
DOGE, a controversial agency led by Musk, has been tasked with eliminating wasteful government spending but has faced criticism over its broad authority and potential conflicts of interest due to Musk’s private business dealings with the government.
Trump, while stating that he will abide by court rulings, has also expressed frustration over judicial interference. On Wednesday, he took to Truth Social to complain about a judge’s decision that halted DOGE’s financial oversight operations.
“DOGE has found massive amounts of FRAUD, WASTE, INCOMPETENCE, AND ABUSE, but even knowing this, a highly political, activist Judge wants us to immediately make payment, anyway. In other words, pay, even though you know the payment was fraudulently requested to be made. DOGE caught them – The Judge just doesn’t care. It doesn’t make sense!!!” Trump wrote.
The legal battles surrounding DOGE and Trump’s broader efforts to reshape the federal government have intensified concerns among legal experts and lawmakers about the administration’s willingness to challenge judicial authority.
On Tuesday, Musk appeared in the Oval Office alongside Trump, a striking show of solidarity as the administration faced mounting scrutiny over DOGE’s actions and Musk’s potential conflicts of interest.
With his companies—including Tesla, SpaceX, and X—holding extensive government contracts, critics argue that Musk’s role in overseeing federal agencies represents a clear ethical dilemma.
Vice President J.D. Vance has echoed Musk’s stance, suggesting that judges lack the jurisdiction to stop the president from exercising his authority. This position has alarmed Democrats and constitutional scholars, who warn that the administration’s rhetoric could trigger a constitutional crisis.
“The idea that judges can’t review executive power is completely contrary to the foundations of American democracy,” one legal expert said. “If Trump and Musk are serious about ignoring the judiciary, this could be one of the most dangerous challenges to the rule of law in modern history.”
The administration’s pushback against judicial oversight reflects a broader effort to consolidate executive authority.
Trump’s team has argued that bureaucratic inefficiencies and activist judges have hindered government effectiveness, and Musk has positioned DOGE as the solution to what they describe as a bloated and corrupt federal system.
Despite their claims, critics warn that Musk’s influence within the government extends beyond his official role at DOGE. His companies remain deeply intertwined with federal contracts, and some watchdog groups have called for investigations into whether he is using his position to advance his own business interests.
As legal challenges continue to mount, the coming months will test the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches.
If Musk and Trump continue to push for the removal of judges who rule against them, it could set a precedent that weakens the judiciary’s ability to serve as a check on presidential authority.
For now, Trump and Musk appear determined to fight back against the courts, framing judicial intervention as an obstacle to fulfilling their promise of government reform.
Whether their push for judicial impeachments gains traction remains uncertain, but the escalating tension between the White House and the judiciary suggests that this battle is far from over.
