Impeachment Articles Filed Against Judge Boasberg
On Tuesday, Rep. Brandon Gill from Texas filed articles of impeachment against U.S. District Judge James Boasberg due to his involvement in the “Arctic Frost” investigation.
According to various reports, Gill’s formal introduction of these articles targets Boasberg for his role in authorizing subpoenas and other actions in the investigation led by former special counsel Jack Smith.
Gill stated, “Chief Justice Boasberg has violated judicial impartiality and created a constitutional crisis.” He continued by suggesting that the judge is misusing his authority against political opponents, including Republican congressional members serving their constituents.
He further accused Boasberg of participating in what he calls an extreme scandal that led the Biden Justice Department to surveil Republican senators. “His lack of integrity clearly makes him unworthy of the gavel,” he added, expressing pride in bringing the impeachment articles forward as a means to hold Boasberg accountable for what he describes as high crimes.
The resolution filed by Gill alleges one count of abuse of power against Boasberg.
The impeachment resolution, which was reportedly acquired by a news outlet, claims that Boasberg disregarded his responsibilities by allowing Special Counsel John L. Smith to issue “frivolous” confidentiality orders related to an FBI operation designated ARCTIC FROST.
These orders purportedly targeted Congress members performing legislative duties and referenced protections guaranteed by the Constitution.
Last month, Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa released redacted documents revealing subpoenas for phone records from ten senators and one representative. These documents also indicated that Verizon had complied with a gag order instructing the company not to inform lawmakers about the subpoenas, while AT&T did not.
Boasberg signed off on the subpoenas and gag orders, which have drawn criticism from Republicans, including Senator Ted Cruz, who labeled the investigation as “worse than Watergate.”
Republicans argue that such subpoenas might infringe upon the Constitution’s Speech and Debate Clause, which protects lawmakers from being arrested or questioned for their actions in a legislative context. However, it’s noted that courts can sometimes find loopholes by debating what qualifies as “legislation.”
This isn’t the first time Judge Boasberg has encountered criticism for his public decisions. Earlier this year, another federal judge faced impeachment articles after suspending deportation flights for immigrants to El Salvador, initiated under President Donald Trump’s administration.
