Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA) is moving to file articles of impeachment against U.S. District Judge John James McConnell Jr., accusing the Obama-appointed judge of blatant judicial overreach after he blocked President Trump’s executive order freezing certain federal funds.
Clyde called the judge “corrupt” and “dangerous,” arguing that his ruling was not only legally unsound but also a direct assault on executive authority.
Background: Judge Halts Trump’s Funding Freeze
Judge McConnell issued a temporary restraining order earlier this month, effectively blocking President Trump’s directive to halt discretionary federal funds pending agency review by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The judge later escalated the matter by ordering the immediate restoration of the funds, claiming the administration had failed to comply with his ruling. That move prompted outrage from Republicans, who see it as an activist court once again inserting itself into policy decisions best left to the executive branch.
Clyde: “This Is a Constitutional Crisis”
Rep. Clyde didn’t mince words.
“This judge isn’t interpreting the law—he’s rewriting it to fit a partisan agenda. His actions are corrupt, dangerous, and merit impeachment.”
He argued that McConnell’s interference undermines the President’s constitutional authority to direct executive agencies and manage federal spending priorities.
“This isn’t about the judiciary providing checks and balances,” Clyde said. “This is a rogue judge blocking lawful efforts to make our government more efficient and accountable.”
Trump Administration Standing Firm
President Trump has doubled down on his executive order, defending it as a necessary step to rein in wasteful spending and restore fiscal discipline. The freeze was part of a broader plan to review and streamline discretionary federal grants—many of which fund programs tied to diversity, equity, and political activism.
The White House has condemned Judge McConnell’s actions as judicial activism, and insiders say additional legal challenges may be forthcoming.
The Bigger Picture
Clyde’s impeachment push is the latest flashpoint in the ongoing battle between Trump’s reformist agenda and the entrenched power of the federal judiciary. While Democrats and legacy media are attempting to frame the response as an attack on “judicial independence,” many conservatives see it as a necessary defense of constitutional order.
As the showdown continues, Clyde says he’s prepared to lead the charge:
“No judge is above the law—especially not one who thinks he’s above the President.”
The stage is now set for a dramatic fight over the limits of judicial power and the future of executive authority under Trump’s second term.