During a recent live television appearance, Vice President JD Vance accused “rogue” federal judges of impeding President Donald Trump’s policies and issued a stern warning to them. His comments sparked a national debate about the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches.

Vance, a strong Trump supporter, criticized judges who have blocked key initiatives, including regulatory reforms, immigration policies, and federal funding.

Vance’s critique was especially harsh regarding the judiciary’s response to Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship, a cornerstone of his immigration platform. Federal judges ruled that changing birthright citizenship would require a constitutional amendment, not executive action. Vance called these decisions “absurd,” accusing the courts of “judicial activism” that undermines democracy. He argued that judges should not act as a “super-legislature” and block laws based on personal convictions.

Vance also highlighted a case where a court stopped the Trump administration from freezing federal grants to sanctuary cities. Federal courts ruled against the policy, but Vance maintained that the federal government should have authority over its funds, especially when local governments refuse to comply with federal law.

His remarks were endorsed by several Republican leaders, including Senator Tom Cotton and Representative Jim Jordan, who agreed that judicial overreach threatens democracy. However, Democrats and legal experts strongly opposed Vance’s comments, calling them dangerous and a threat to judicial independence.