'Calls for judge's impeachment inappropriate', says US Chief Justice after Trump lashes out over deportation

Roberts' statement followed Trump's call on Tuesday for the impeachment of Washington-based US District Judge James Boasberg, who ordered to halt the removal of alleged Venezuelan gang members.

US Chief Justice John Roberts responded on Tuesday to President Donald Trump's attacks on a federal judge presiding over a deportation battle, rejecting the idea that impeachment is the answer for a disagreement with the jurist's rulings.

"For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision," Roberts said in a statement issued by the court. "The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose."

Roberts' statement followed Trump's call on Tuesday for the impeachment of Washington-based US District Judge James Boasberg, who ordered the administration on Saturday to halt the removal of alleged Venezuelan gang members, which Trump has argued is authorised by an 18th-century law historically used only in wartime.