Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) called for the impeachment of Chief Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
“The D.C. Circuit ruled Boasberg’s contempt crusade against Trump officials is an ‘improper investigation’ and ‘clear abuse of discretion.’ He tried to imprison Trump officials for deporting Venezuelan gang members,” he wrote on social media. “I’m calling on the House: Impeach Rogue Judge Boasberg.”
Schmitt’s comment follows an appeals court blocking criminal contempt proceedings launched by Boasberg against the Trump administration. The Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated Boasberg’s order. “The Supreme Court vacated the district court’s order because it was premised on a legal error and the plaintiffs’ suit was brought in the wrong court,” the court wrote. “Nonetheless, the district court threatened to hold government officials in criminal contempt unless they complied with the now-vacated order by, for instance, taking back custody of the plaintiffs. We issued a writ of mandamus vacating the court’s first contempt order.”
Other lawmakers have similarly urged for Boasberg to be impeached. In November, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) introduced articles of impeachment against Judge James Boasberg for his role in the Arctic Frost investigation. “Ignoring his responsibility to wield the power of his office in a constitutional manner, Chief Judge Boasberg granted Special Counsel John L. Smith authorization to issue frivolous nondisclosure orders in furtherance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation project codenamed ARCTIC FROST,” the resolution said. “These nondisclosure orders covered Members of Congress who were acting in accord with their legislative duties and privileges guaranteed by Article 1, Section 6, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution.”
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) also called for Boasberg’s impeachment.
