US Federal House Bill HR556

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Committee Review: 6/27/25

Caption

Impeaching Charles R. Breyer, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Summary

H. Res. 556 is a House resolution that seeks to impeach Senior Judge Charles R. Breyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The resolution alleges that Judge Breyer committed “high crimes and misdemeanors” by abusing judicial power, acting with political motives, and interfering with the President’s constitutional prerogatives, particularly in connection with the use of the National Guard in Los Angeles, California. The resolution sets out a single article of impeachment, labeled “Abuse of Power,” and asserts that Judge Breyer knowingly and willfully used his office to advance political gain, undermine the rule of law, and interfere with executive authority. It concludes that his conduct created a constitutional crisis and that he should be removed from office. As introduced, the measure was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary and has no recorded committee vote or floor action in the provided materials.

Impact

If adopted, the resolution would formally impeach a sitting federal judge and transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, potentially leading to removal from office. In practical terms, the bill does not amend state law; instead, it invokes Congress’s constitutional impeachment power over federal civil officers, including federal judges. Its immediate legal effect in the provided status is limited to referral to the House Judiciary Committee, but it targets the federal judiciary, separation of powers, and the scope of presidential and judicial authority.

Sentiment

The available materials show a strongly accusatory and adversarial tone from the sponsor, with the resolution framing Judge Breyer’s conduct as an abuse of power and a threat to national safety and constitutional order. There are no committee transcripts or votes provided, so no broader bipartisan or committee sentiment can be measured from the record here. Based on the text alone, the bill reflects a highly partisan and punitive posture toward the judge and the underlying court ruling or order.

Contention

The central point of contention is whether Judge Breyer exceeded judicial authority by restricting or directing the President’s use of the National Guard in Los Angeles. Supporters of the resolution characterize that action as political interference and an unconstitutional intrusion into executive powers, while the resolution itself implies that the judge’s order undermined law enforcement and public safety. The measure also raises broader constitutional disputes over judicial independence, the impeachment standard for federal judges, and the balance of power between the courts and the executive branch.