A CNN anchor got testy with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, on Wednesday as he attacked a judge who ordered the Trump administration to turn around a plane loaded with migrants being deported.
CNN's Kasie Hunt had Jordan join her show "The Arena." Jordan said that while the "remedy for bad decisions" is typically the appellate court, in this case, he surmised that it seems there "may be something a little different here."
"This judge's decision was so ridiculous it seems to be political," he said.
Jordan noted the judge, James "Jeb" Boasberg, has previously worked in the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court during the "whole Trump-Russia balogna"
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"I think you might have here a judge who's acting in a political fashion," Jordan said. "That is a different question."
Jordan said "all options are on the table" when it comes to the judge, and vowed to "dig in" and "research" more about the judge.
"When you really step back, Kasie, and look at how stupid the decision was by this judge, I mean he basically said — well not basically, he did say — turn the plane around, bring back gang members, hardened criminals who've done all kinds of bad things, who were here illegally, turn the plane around and bring those bad guys back to the country," Jordan railed. "I think just on its face this is ridiculous."
Hunt then questioned Jordan on what "specifically" the judge had done that may be considered impeachable.
But Jordan seemed to struggle to answer.
"All I'm saying is if you're not acting in a political fashion and not just, you know, following the law — ruling on the — on the law — and I would argue that frankly, just his ruling in and of itself — remember, the Constitution is pretty clear. Article II, Section I, the very first sentence says power in the executive branch shall be vested in a president of the United States. The president has the authority here."
As Jordan tried to continue, Hunt questioned if there was a large body of law that would mean Trump would likely win. But Jordan ignored her and continued defending why he believed the judge's decision was political.
Hunt wouldn't let him off the hook, however.
"If you're the White House, why not put that appeal through? Why not use the process that's available to you right then?" she asked.
Jordan said there very may well be some appeals in the process and returned to his initial assertion.
"This judge looks different than the other things we have seen," he said, later vowing to hold hearings on the "entire issue" of judges filing 15 injunctions.
When pressed specifically on whether he would hold impeachment hearings, Jordan reiterated they're "considering all options."
"We're not ruling out anything — I'd never do that," he quipped.
