Squad leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that she plans on impeaching the six conservative Justices on the Supreme Court for their ruling in Donald Trump‘s presidential immunity case.
The conservative 6-3 majority on the Supreme Court ruled Monday a president does have immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts in a monumental decision.
The ruling kicks the decision on whether Trump intentionally tried to subvert the 2020 election results back to a Washington, D.C., judge – and will likely delay the trial until after the November election in a ‘big win’ for the former president.
Reacting to the ruling, an outraged Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X: ‘The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control. ‘Today’s ruling represents an assault on American democracy.’
‘It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture,’ her post continued.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., posted Monday on X that she would soon file articles of impeachment against the Supreme Court Justices after they ruled that Donald Trump has presidential immunity for a case related to the January 6 Capitol riot
The House returns to session Monday, July 8, after the July 4th recess, which is when she plans to take action.
Her post did not specify which justices she plans on drafting articles of impeachment for, but it is expected to target the six conservative justices.
The ruling Monday means that if Trump wins the November election he can direct the Justice Department to drop the charges against him, dealing a blow to those who want to see him convicted for his involvement with the January 6 riot.
The case centers on the former president’s alleged actions on January 6 to overturn the election results.
Prosecutors have argued that Trump was acting as a candidate, and not in his official capacity, when he addressed the audience.
The former president’s attorneys, meanwhile, argue that Trump was conducting official presidential business – which the new Supreme Court ruling means is protected under presidential immunity.
Trump himself celebrated the ruling Monday, posting on his Truth Social app: ‘Big win for our constitution and democracy. Proud to be an American!’
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021
Trump called the Supreme Court’s ruling a ‘big win for our constitution and democracy’
The US Supreme Court ruled on Monday that former US President Donald Trump is entitled to immunity from prosecution in the context of his official acts
And even if AOC drafts articles to impeach the Supreme Court Justices, they will likely not get far.
Republicans hold control over the chamber and would presumably never agree to advance articles of impeachment against the Supreme Court Justices.
But House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., did say that his caucus will look into what they can do about the ruling.
‘Today’s Supreme Court decision to grant legal immunity to a former President for crimes committed using his official power sets a dangerous precedent for the future of our nation,’ he said in a statement Monday.
‘The Framers of the Constitution envisioned a democracy governed by the rule of law and the consent of the American people. They did not intend for our nation to be ruled by a king or monarch who could act with absolute impunity.’
‘House Democrats will engage in aggressive oversight and legislative activity with respect to the Supreme Court to ensure that the extreme, far-right justices in the majority are brought into compliance with the Constitution.’
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said that Democrats will look conduct oversight of the Supreme Court after the ruling
What legislation and oversight can be brought against the court, though, is currently unclear.
If the progressive Squad leader does impeach some or all of the Justices it would be the first time in roughly 220 years.
The only time a Justice has been impeached was in 1804 when Samuel Chase was accused of refusing to remove biased jurors and excluding witnesses in two politically charged cases.
Chase was later acquitted by the Senate in 1805 and was not removed from the Supreme Court.