A federal court official has informed lawmakers that Judge James Boasberg likely approved gag orders in the Arctic Frost investigation without realizing the subpoenas involved sitting members of Congress.
According to the explanation provided, the non-disclosure orders listed only phone numbers and did not identify the individuals attached to them. Because the names of the subscribers were not visible, Boasberg reportedly had no way of knowing that the numbers belonged to senators and a representative when he signed the orders.
The subpoenas sought toll-call records — not call content — for several Republican-aligned lawmakers and other individuals connected to the probe. Telecom companies were barred from notifying those affected due to the gag directives.
The revelation has triggered sharp backlash on Capitol Hill, with Republicans denouncing the secret acquisition of lawmakers’ phone data as a grave intrusion on legislative privacy and a violation of constitutional safeguards. Some members have already introduced impeachment articles targeting Boasberg, arguing that the court’s actions crossed a red line in oversight of the political branches.