Senators Cruz, Schmitt Call for Impeachment of Judge Boasberg Over GOP Phone Record Subpoenas

Senator Ted Cruz, joined by other Republican senators including Eric Schmitt, has called for the impeachment of U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg following revelations that Boasberg authorized subpoenas for phone records of nine Republican senators as part of the FBI's Arctic Frost investigation into President Donald Trump's election-related challenges. The subpoenas, issued under former special counsel Jack Smith and the Biden Justice Department, were part of what Cruz describes as a "fishing expedition" targeting the "entire Republican political apparatus," and included gag orders preventing phone companies like AT&T from notifying the senators about the subpoenas. Cruz criticized Boasberg for abusing judicial power and violating constitutional protections, including the Speech and Debate Clause, separation of powers, and privacy rights. Boasberg's history of rulings perceived as politically motivated—such as attempts to enforce orders against Trump on immigration and surveillance warrants tied to the FBI's FISA abuses—has fueled Republican outrage. Despite some phone companies refusing to comply with the subpoenas on constitutional grounds, the episode has intensified accusations of partisan weaponization of the judiciary and law enforcement against Republican lawmakers. The senators are urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to pursue impeachment proceedings against Boasberg to hold him accountable for what they characterize as corruption and abuse of power.