Under the U.S. Constitution, federal judges "hold their offices during good behaviour" and receive salaries that "shall not be diminished during their continuance in office." Like other "civil officers of the United States," they can be removed from office by Congress only if they are impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate of "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors."
Those provisions aim to protect judicial independence, which is essential to the rule of law. But Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who unofficially runs the federal cost-cutting initiative known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), seems to think "good behaviour" precludes any ruling that obstructs his efforts, which he views as an impeachable offense.
That attitude jibes with President Donald Trump's long-standing resentment of judicial interference with his agenda, which he reflexively portrays as politically motivated. It is especially troubling in light of Vice President J.D. Vance's suggestion that the Trump administration would be justified in defying court orders that arguably impinge on "the executive's legitimate power"—a position that is blatantly at odds with the judicial branch's vital role in making sure that government officials respect statutory and constitutional limits on their authority.
