AOC Promises to Impeach Justices Who Supported Trump’s Immunity

(RepublicanReport.org) – On July 1, the Supreme Court ruled that presidents and former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for all criminal acts taken while in office only if those actions were official under Article II of the US Constitution. US leaders are not, however, immune from prosecution if the criminal actions they take while in office are unofficial. It will be now up to the courts to decide which acts are official and which ones are not. Reactions following the ruling were swift. Many, including former President Donald Trump, applauded the ruling, while others said SCOTUS effectively made presidents kings — something the Founding Fathers vowed never to happen.

AOC Reacts

Immediately following the Supreme Court’s ruling, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said the justices were “consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control.” The New York lawmaker went on to say that the ruling was an “assault on American democracy,” adding that it was “up to Congress to defend [the] nation.” AOC promised to file articles of impeachment once the House is back in session. The legislators will return to the Lower Chamber on July 9.

Impeachment of Supreme Court justices is rare but well within the bounds of Congress and not impossible. The last time such an impeachment and removal occurred against a SCOTUS justice was in 1803. Since then, the House has impeached only 15 judges, and only 8 have been convicted by the Upper Chamber. The Constitution doesn’t outlay the specific parameters to remove a justice, but other officials can be removed for “treason, bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” Presumably, SCOTUS justices could be removed using those same guidelines. Historically, however, judges are typically impeached for criminal or serious ethical misconduct.

Similar Reactions to the Ruling

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also spoke out after the SCOTUS ruling, stating that the “framers of the Constitution…did not intend for our nation to be ruled by a king or monarch” with absolute immunity. Instead, he said they “envisioned a democracy governed” by laws and the “American people.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called the ruling “disgraceful” and referred to the court as “MAGA SCOTUS.”

President Joe Biden also reacted strongly to the news, stating the decision was a “dangerous precedent,” adding that “no one is above the law” including the president.

AOC did not outline which justices she would be filing articles of impeachment against, but it likely includes at least two who have been shrouded in corruption allegations — Justice Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

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