Sen. Ted Cruz Calls for Impeachment of Judges

During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) urged the impeachment of two federal judges, including Judge James Boasberg. This request followed revelations that Boasberg had permitted surveillance of Republican lawmakers during then-Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the January 6 protests.

Cruz remarked, “In the past, it has been more rare for judges to exercise their power in ways that violated the public trust.” He noted that while only 15 federal judges have been impeached in U.S. history, Congress has historically recognized that impeachable offenses need not equate to traditional crimes.

The senator specifically pointed to a controversial gag order signed by Judge Boasberg in 2023 as grounds for impeachment. Additionally, Cruz criticized Judge Deborah Boardman for her sentence regarding the attempted assassination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Judge Boardman sentenced Sophie Roske, who attempted to kill Kavanaugh, to eight years in prison, taking into account Roske’s transgender status. Cruz argued that this consideration seemed inappropriate in light of the crime committed.

Cruz further stated, “My Democratic colleagues on this committee don’t get a chance to make a big speech about how they oppose violence against the judiciary, but they also don’t get to cheer on the justices and say, ‘Well, if you’re trying to kill a Supreme Court Justice and you happen to be transgender, no problem.’

When asked if House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) would support the impeachment of judges, Committee spokesman Russell Dye replied, “Everything is on the table.”

Democrats expressed strong support for the judges in question. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) voiced concerns about the committee’s actions, stating, “I hoped the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee would not become embroiled in a scheme to increase the pressure and intimidation of sitting federal judges.”

Judge Boasberg had previously authorized subpoenas for the phone records of several Republican politicians during Smith’s investigation into Donald Trump’s actions regarding the 2020 election and the January 6 events.

Law professor Rob Luther from George Mason University questioned the basis for Boasberg’s actions regarding the gag order, asking if the judge merely approved the request without due consideration or if he was intentionally misguided.