Republicans Push to Oust Federal Judge Amid Allegations of Secret Orders Targeting GOP Figures

A growing number of House Republicans are calling for the impeachment of U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg after reports revealed that he and fellow Judge Beryl Howell authorized nearly 200 secret subpoenas aimed at Republican lawmakers, donors, and political groups under former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s direction.

Representative Brandon Gill of Texas announced Thursday night that he is preparing formal articles of impeachment against Boasberg, describing his actions as “a clear abuse of judicial power.” Florida Representative Byron Donalds also indicated that he supports pursuing impeachment, suggesting that Howell could face similar scrutiny in the near future, according to The National Pulse.

The controversy stems from an investigation codenamed “Arctic Frost,” which reportedly involved 197 subpoenas issued to over 430 Republican-affiliated individuals and entities. Many of these subpoenas, issued during the Biden administration, were protected by non-disclosure orders signed by Boasberg and Howell. Those orders prevented telecom companies and banks from notifying the targets that their data had been seized.

Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa condemned the probe as a “massive fishing expedition” designed to monitor political opponents. “The weaponization of the judicial system against political adversaries has gone too far,” he said in a statement.

Representative Gill echoed that sentiment. “Judge Boasberg’s actions have stripped away the trust that Americans should have in the judiciary,” he said. “By allowing secret surveillance of Republican lawmakers, donors, and organizations, he crossed a line that threatens the foundation of fair justice in our country.”

Boasberg, an Obama appointee who currently serves as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, has long been a figure of contention among conservatives. He has faced criticism for rulings that limited Trump-era policies, particularly those involving immigration enforcement and executive authority.

Reports indicate that the Arctic Frost subpoenas targeted not just individuals but also vendors, consultants, and financial institutions tied to Trump-aligned political action committees. Prosecutors were reportedly looking for financial patterns or communications that could connect advocacy organizations to broader legal strategies, possibly to build the framework for racketeering (RICO) allegations.

In March, Representative Andy Biggs of Arizona introduced a resolution to remove Judge Boasberg from office under Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution — a rarely used approach that bypasses impeachment and instead argues that judges who fail to uphold “good behavior” can be removed by congressional authority.

“Americans assume that federal judges serve for life, but the Constitution says they serve only during good behavior,” Biggs told Just the News. “When a judge steps beyond that standard, Congress has a duty to act.”

Biggs pointed to a separate ruling by Boasberg that blocked the Trump administration from deporting foreign nationals linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang under the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act. Boasberg reportedly ordered government aircraft carrying those detainees to return to the United States, citing procedural concerns.

Biggs said such decisions amount to an “overreach of judicial power” that undermines the president’s constitutional authority over immigration and foreign affairs. “If a judge feels entitled to overrule the executive branch on national security matters, that judge has stopped interpreting law and started making it,” Biggs argued. “Firing such a judge might be the only remedy.”

His resolution accuses Boasberg of “knowingly interfering with the President’s execution of foreign policy” and of abusing his authority by issuing rulings that compromise national security. It asserts that his actions “undermine the separation of powers” and set a dangerous precedent where courts can obstruct constitutionally designated executive functions.

Legal experts note that impeachment or removal of a federal judge is exceedingly rare. The Constitution requires a majority vote in the House and a two-thirds vote in the Senate for removal — a high bar that has been met only a handful of times in U.S. history.

Nevertheless, the revelations about the Arctic Frost investigation have ignited outrage among Republican lawmakers, who view the matter as part of a broader pattern of politically motivated prosecutions.

“Americans deserve transparency and accountability,” said Representative Donalds. “If judges are using their power to secretly surveil citizens for political purposes, Congress must intervene. This is about restoring faith in equal justice under the law.”

The House Judiciary Committee is expected to review the subpoenas and sealed court orders in closed session next week. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders have dismissed the impeachment effort as “political theater,” arguing that the subpoenas were part of a legitimate national security investigation.

Still, with momentum building among House conservatives, Judge Boasberg’s future on the bench now hangs in the balance — a stark reminder of the deepening rift between the judiciary and Congress in a politically charged era.