A federal judge appointed by Barack Obama now faces impeachment proceedings after issuing a stay that blocks the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that limited lower courts’ authority in such cases.

Congressional Action Against Federal Judge

Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee filed an impeachment resolution against Judge Allison Burroughs, who serves on the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The resolution came after Burroughs issued a stay on Friday temporarily halting the administration’s plan to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Somalis. The order stems from an ongoing lawsuit by African Communities Together, which argues the administration’s decision was based on racial discrimination.

Ogles stated that the judge’s actions represent deliberate obstruction of the Supreme Court’s authority. The Tennessee congressman argued that Burroughs attempted to circumvent the high court’s June ruling in Mullin v. Doe by entertaining what he called spurious allegations of racial and national-origin discrimination. The judge’s defenders note the stay is based on an amended complaint designed to address the Supreme Court’s previous ruling.

DHS General Counsel Calls Out Judicial Pattern

Department of Homeland Security General Counsel James Percival issued a sharp rebuke of the judicial interference, posting on social media that a specific group of federal district judges repeatedly blocks deportations and Temporary Protected Status rollbacks. Percival described the pattern as defiance, obstruction, and delay, calling it naked political activism. He emphasized that not the entire judiciary but a particular subset of judges engages in this behavior.

The criticism highlights growing frustration within the administration over lower court judges who continue blocking immigration enforcement actions despite Supreme Court guidance limiting their authority in these matters. The Temporary Protected Status program provides humanitarian relief for individuals who fled natural disasters or war in their home countries.

Political Battle Over Judicial Authority

This impeachment resolution represents one of several filed by Trump allies in Congress during the president’s second term. A previous effort to impeach U.S. federal judge James Boasberg failed last year after senior House Republicans argued impeachment was not the most effective method to address what they termed rogue judges. However, conservatives indicated earlier this year they would resume their campaign to remove judges they characterize as judicial activists from the bench.

Judge Burroughs received her appointment to the federal bench in 2014 during the Obama administration. The Massachusetts district court has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the impeachment threat. The outcome of Ogles’ resolution remains uncertain as House leadership weighs whether to pursue the matter or seek alternative approaches to addressing concerns about judicial overreach.