Former Texas Congressman and longtime judge Ted Poe brought the gavel down in his conversation with Joe Pags, tackling the week’s biggest legal controversies head-on. From the Signal chat frenzy to rogue federal judges blocking presidential authority, Poe pulled no punches—especially when it came to what he sees as judicial overreach and political gamesmanship.
Poe dismissed the Signal chat scandal outright, saying bluntly that “no damage was done” and chalking it up to “just making something out of nothing.” But he didn’t stop there. “Fix that problem now and forever,” Poe declared, urging action to prevent future security risks, even if this episode amounted to little more than media noise.
Turning to the case against Judge Boasberg, Poe—a former judge himself—was even more direct. “I don’t believe he has any authority at all to make a ruling on this,” Poe said, referencing Boasberg’s decision to block President Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act. That law, Pags noted, was “signed by John Adams—the second president of the United States!” and has long been established in U.S. legal precedent.
Poe reminded listeners that “all of these district judges and appellate judges are created by Congress,” emphasizing that Congress also has the power to restructure or even eliminate these courts. “This is, in my opinion, abuse of power,” he added, explaining how some judges selectively enforce laws based on politics rather than principle. As for what’s next, Poe made clear, “At this point we have to wait for the Supreme Court.”
On the topic of DOGE and the president’s authority to reallocate funds, Poe underscored a critical point often missed in media coverage: “Congress does appropriate the money.” But once that money is allocated to the executive branch, how it’s managed—especially in the case of fraud or abuse—becomes a question of constitutional authority.
For a no-nonsense breakdown of judicial power, congressional responsibility, and what’s really at stake with these high-profile legal battles, listen to the full interview with Judge Ted Poe. It’s an insider’s view you won’t hear anywhere else.