Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) is poised to introduce articles of impeachment against U.S. District Court Judge Paul Engelmayer over the latter’s order blocking the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and—arguably—Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent from accessing the Treasury Department’s federal payments system. The order, issued this past Saturday, has been the target of intense criticism from some in the legal community who argue it is a gross breach of the separation of powers, with the judicial branch interfering in actions purely under the purview of the executive.
“I’m drafting articles of impeachment for U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer. Partisan judges abusing their positions is a threat to democracy,” Rep. Crane announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The Arizona Republican added: “The left has done ‘irreparable harm’ to this country. President Trump and his team at [DOGE] are trying to fix it.”
“This is obviously judicial overreach. Judge Engelmayer is attempting to stop White House employees from accessing the very systems they oversee,” Rep. Crane continued, concluding: “Where in the constitution does it say a President and his team cannot root out obvious waste, fraud and abuse?”
The Arizona Congressman is not alone in his opinion that Judge Engelmayer’s order, enjoining DOGE employees and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent from accessing the payment system, is judicial overreach. Professor Adrian Vermeule—the Ralph S. Tyler, Jr. Professor of Constitutional Law at Harvard Law School—wrote in a post on X, reacting to the ruling: “Judicial interference with legitimate acts of state, especially the internal functioning of a co-equal branch, is a violation of the separation of powers.”
This is obviously judicial overreach.
Judge Engelmayer is attempting to stop White House employees from accessing the very systems they oversee.
Where in the constitution does it say a President and his team cannot root out obvious waste, fraud and abuse?
— Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) February 11, 2025
