There are three specific criminal charges that Attorney General Pam Bondi could immediately bring against Judge Boasberg in connection to the Arctic Frost scandal.
1. Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law (18 U.S.C. § 242):
The prosecution alleges that by issuing the gag order, Judge Boasberg willfully deprived U.S. senators of their statutory right under 2 U.S.C. § 6628 to receive notification of legal processes seeking disclosure of Senate data, thereby violating their constitutional protections under the Speech or Debate Clause and separation of powers principles.
2. Obstruction of Proceedings Before Congress (18 U.S.C. § 1505):
This charge claims that the gag order obstructed the Senate’s ability to exercise its oversight functions, including the right to file a motion to quash the subpoenas, by preventing timely notification and thus hindering potential congressional inquiries or interventions.
3. Conspiracy Against Rights (18 U.S.C. § 241):
The DOJ asserts that Judge Boasberg conspired with Special Counsel Smith’s office to infringe upon the senators’ rights, using his judicial authority to conceal the subpoenas and evade Senate opposition.
