Republican lawmakers in the House are moving to impeach U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg after revelations that he and Judge Beryl Howell issued non-disclosure orders shielding nearly 200 subpoenas targeting Republican organizations, officials, and donors under former Special Counsel Jack Smith.Late Thursday, Representative Brandon Gill of Texas said he is drafting articles of impeachment against Boasberg. Representative Byron Donalds of Florida also signaled his intent to pursue impeachment. It is not yet clear whether Howell will also face similar action, The National PulseThe National Pulse reported that Smith issued 197 subpoenas affecting more than 430 Republican groups and individuals as part of what is being described as the “Arctic Frost” probe. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa called the investigation a “fishing expedition” targeting the Republican political apparatus.
Among the subpoenas were requests for telecom companies to hand over cell data from about a dozen Republican lawmakers. The disclosure orders signed by Boasberg and Howell prevented the companies from notifying the affected members.
“Radical activist judge James Boasberg continues to weaponize his judicial authority and target his political opponents,” Gill said in a statement. “Judge Boasberg facilitated the egregious Arctic Frost scandal, where he equipped the Biden DOJ to spy on Republican senators. His lack of integrity makes him clearly unfit for the gavel.”