On Monday, November 17, 2025, a group of Republican senators asked Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to administratively suspend Chief Judge James “Jeb” Boasberg of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The senators are also requesting transparency regarding the actions the Circuit Judicial Council is taking against Judge Boasberg.
In a letter addressed to Chief Judge Srinivasan, Senators Eric S. Schmitt, Michael S. Lee, Tommy Tuberville, Lindsey Graham, Kevin Cramer, and Bill Hagerty called for Boasberg’s suspension pending a formal impeachment process initiated by the House of Representatives, and a subsequent trial by the Senate, should the impeachment proceed.
The senators cited Articles of Impeachment filed against Judge Boasberg on November 4, 2025, which accuse him of improperly granting gag orders in the “Arctic Frost” probe. These articles allege that Boasberg authorized Special Counsel John L. Smith to issue frivolous nondisclosure orders. The letter also references a ruling by Srinivasan’s court, In re: Sealed Case, which reversed Boasberg’s decision to grant government-requested nondisclosure orders against X Corp, finding that he had erred by being too permissive. The senators emphasized that the Articles of Impeachment have received bicameral support.
Beyond the “Arctic Frost” probe, the senators raised additional concerns regarding Boasberg’s conduct. They pointed to accusations that he improperly used his position as Chief Judge to assign himself the case J.G.G. v. Trump on March 15, 2025, a case the Supreme Court later determined he lacked jurisdiction over. Furthermore, they highlighted an incident in July 2025, where Boasberg allegedly initiated an unsolicited discussion during a Conference meeting on March 11, 2025, regarding potential disregard of federal court rulings by the Administration, potentially leading to a constitutional crisis.
The senators drew a parallel to the case of Judge G. Thomas Porteous, Jr., who was administratively suspended prior to his impeachment while the Judicial Conference of the United States investigated allegations of bribery and fraud. They emphasized Chief Judge Srinivasan’s responsibility, as Chief Judge of the applicable circuit judicial council, to oversee the Article III remedial process for misconduct allegations against appellate and district judges within his circuit.
The letter also references a formal judicial misconduct complaint filed against Judge Boasberg by the Department of Justice on July 28, 2025, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 351(a). Citing 28 U.S.C. § 352, the senators noted that Srinivasan is mandated to “expeditiously” review the complaint and determine whether to take “appropriate corrective action.” They expressed concern that no publicly available action has been taken regarding the complaint.
The senators requested a written status update on the DOJ judicial misconduct complaint, including any communications between Srinivasan and Boasberg regarding the complaint, or an attestation if no such communications occurred.
They also requested any related records, documents, or tangible objects. In the event the complaint has been dismissed, they demanded a written explanation for the dismissal, as well as information on any other misconduct complaints filed against Boasberg in 2025. If no action has been taken on the complaint, they requested a written explanation for the delay.
Finally, if a special committee has been formed to investigate the complaint, they urged Srinivasan to place Boasberg on administrative suspension, remove him from the Circuit Judicial Council, and provide a written explanation if these steps have not yet been taken.
