Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has announced her intention to file impeachment articles against Supreme Court justices following a recent decision that granted former President Donald Trump immunity in a significant case. The New York Democrat framed this move as a necessary step to “defend our nation” from what she describes as “authoritarian capture.”
Ocasio-Cortez expressed her concerns on social media, stating that the Supreme Court is “consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control.” She emphasized that it is Congress’s responsibility to protect the nation from this perceived threat. The House of Representatives is scheduled to return from its current recess next Monday, at which point Ocasio-Cortez plans to proceed with her impeachment efforts.
The congresswoman has not specified which justices she aims to impeach. However, she has previously indicated that Justice Clarence Thomas should be a target due to his failure to disclose expensive trips funded by Republican billionaires, some of whom had cases before the court.
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which was released on Friday, concluded that presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for most official acts. This decision has sparked significant controversy, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor warning that it could potentially allow presidents to commit severe crimes, such as assassinating political rivals, without facing legal consequences.
Despite Ocasio-Cortez’s determination, her impeachment bid faces significant obstacles. The Republican Party currently controls the House, and Democratic leadership has not fully endorsed the idea of impeaching Supreme Court justices. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded to the ruling by stating that Democrats would pursue “aggressive oversight and legislative activity” to ensure that the Supreme Court’s conservative majority adheres to constitutional principles.
Filing articles of impeachment would mark a notable escalation in the Democratic Party’s efforts to exert greater oversight over the Supreme Court. The court has been embroiled in numerous ethics scandals in recent years and has issued several conservative rulings that have overturned long-standing precedents, including the landmark decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022.
The last time a Supreme Court justice faced impeachment was over two centuries ago. In 1804, Justice Samuel Chase was impeached for his conduct during two politically sensitive trials but ultimately survived the removal effort.
Ocasio-Cortez’s move underscores the deepening divide between the legislative and judicial branches of the U.S. government. Her call for impeachment reflects growing frustration among some Democrats with the Supreme Court’s direction and its perceived lack of accountability.
The congresswoman’s announcement has already sparked a heated debate about the role of the judiciary and the mechanisms available to hold justices accountable. While the likelihood of successful impeachment remains low given the current political landscape, Ocasio-Cortez’s actions highlight the ongoing tensions and the potential for future conflicts between Congress and the Supreme Court.
As the House prepares to reconvene, all eyes will be on Ocasio-Cortez and her next steps. Whether her impeachment articles gain traction or not, her bold stance is sure to keep the conversation about judicial accountability and the balance of power in the U.S. government at the forefront of political discourse.
Source: Insider
