Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) has just dropped a political bombshell by filing impeachment articles against a federal judge accused of playing fast and loose with constitutional protections.
Breitbart reported that on Tuesday, Gill introduced a resolution targeting U.S. District Judge James Boasberg for alleged abuse of power in a controversial investigation dubbed "Arctic Frost," spearheaded by former special counsel Jack Smith.
This isn’t just a slap on the wrist—Gill’s resolution charges Boasberg with a single count of abuse of power for signing off on subpoenas and nondisclosure orders that targeted Republican lawmakers.
The "Arctic Frost" probe, as revealed in documents made public last month by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), included subpoenas for phone records of ten senators and one House member.
Even more eyebrow-raising, gag orders were sent to telecom giants Verizon and AT&T, instructing them not to notify the lawmakers of the surveillance—Verizon complied, while AT&T did not.
Boasberg’s signature on these orders has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives who see this as a direct attack on legislative privilege under the U.S. Constitution’s speech or debate clause.
Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), have not minced words about what they view as judicial overreach. “Worse than Watergate,” Cruz declared, signaling the depth of GOP frustration with Boasberg’s actions.
Let’s unpack that—comparing this to Watergate suggests a betrayal of trust at the highest levels, though some might argue it’s a bit of rhetorical flair. Still, when phone records of elected officials are secretly subpoenaed, it’s hard to dismiss the concern.
The speech or debate clause, enshrined in Article 1, Section 6, Clause 1 of the Constitution, is meant to shield lawmakers from interference in their legislative duties, though courts sometimes debate what counts as “legislative” activity.
Gill himself has come out swinging, accusing the judge of undermining the judiciary’s credibility. “Chief Judge Boasberg has compromised the impartiality of the judiciary and created a constitutional crisis,” he stated, per a press release from his office.
He didn’t stop there, adding, “He is shamelessly weaponizing his power against his political opponents, including Republican members of Congress who are faithfully serving the American people within their jurisdiction.” That’s a hefty charge, and while it’s clearly partisan, it taps into a broader conservative unease about judicial activism.
Whether Boasberg’s actions truly rise to “weaponization” or are just aggressive legal tactics remains a point of contention, but Gill’s rhetoric is designed to rally the base—and it just might.
This isn’t the first time Boasberg has faced heat—earlier in 2025, he was targeted with impeachment articles for halting President Donald Trump’s migrant deportation flights to El Salvador.
That prior clash, combined with the Arctic Frost fallout, paints a picture of a judge repeatedly at odds with conservative priorities, though defenders might argue he’s simply ruling as he sees the law.
For now, Gill’s latest move ensures Boasberg remains in the spotlight, as Republicans push to hold the judiciary accountable for what they see as partisan overreach in a probe that’s chilled more than just the Arctic.
