Six Republican senators are urging the chief judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to suspend District Judge James Boasberg as impeachment proceedings gain momentum. The request comes in light of allegations against Boasberg, who has been accused of misconduct in relation to his role in the Special Counsel's investigation into former President Donald Trump.
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution Chair Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., along with Senators Mike Lee, Tommy Tuberville, Lindsey Graham, Kevin Cramer, and Bill Hagerty, sent a letter to Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan on Monday. They called for Boasberg to be “administratively suspended pending formal impeachment by the House of Representatives and, if impeached, an impeachment trial by the Senate.”
In the letter, Schmitt stated, "No more delays. Judge Boasberg must be suspended immediately. We cannot tolerate rogue, self-professed prejudicial judges ruling on our nation’s most important cases." The senators referenced Articles of Impeachment filed against Boasberg by Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, which accuse him of failing to uphold his responsibilities as a judge.
The allegations against Boasberg include improper actions related to the Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation, known as the "Arctic Frost" probe. This investigation reportedly involved the seizure of phone records from several Republican senators. Schmitt and his colleagues highlighted a specific incident where Boasberg signed an order prohibiting AT&T from informing Senator Ted Cruz about a subpoena for his phone records for a year.
Cruz criticized the order, asserting, "There is precisely zero evidence to conclude that I am likely to destroy or tamper with evidence or to intimidate potential witnesses. This order is an abuse of power. This order is a weaponized legal system."
The GOP senators also pointed to a memo from a March 2025 Judicial Conference where Boasberg expressed concerns about the Trump administration potentially disregarding federal court rulings. They argued that Boasberg's comments were inappropriate and outside the scope of the conference's purpose.
In their letter, the senators reminded Srinivasan that there is precedent for suspending a judge during an impeachment inquiry. They emphasized that as Chief Judge, he has a duty to oversee the judicial conduct of judges in his circuit. The letter also referenced a formal misconduct complaint filed by the Justice Department against Boasberg in July, which has not yet resulted in any public action from Srinivasan.
The senators concluded their correspondence by demanding transparency regarding the status of the DOJ's complaint and any investigative steps taken against Boasberg. They requested that this information be shared not only with them but also with the DOJ and relevant congressional committees.
As the situation unfolds, the GOP senators are pressing for immediate action regarding Boasberg's status amid ongoing impeachment discussions. The outcome of these efforts could have significant implications for the D.C. Circuit and the judiciary as a whole.
Why it matters
- Legal or policy outcomes depend on hearings, rulemaking, and potential court challenges.
- Six GOP senators are pushing for Judge Boasberg's suspension amid impeachment proceedings, highlighting concerns over judicial conduct.
- Allegations against Boasberg involve misconduct in the Special Counsel's investigation, raising questions about judicial impartiality.
- The senators' letter emphasizes the need for immediate action to maintain judicial integrity and prevent perceived abuses of power.
What’s next
- Senate Judiciary Subcommittee to discuss the implications of Boasberg's actions in upcoming hearings.
- GOP senators demand transparency on the DOJ's misconduct complaint against Boasberg by next week.
- Impeachment proceedings against Boasberg could be initiated in the House, impacting the judiciary's future.