Can the Supreme Court Be Impeached? AOC’s Bold Move Against SCOTUS Following Trump Immunity Ruling

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has announced her intention to file articles of impeachment against several Supreme Court justices following a controversial ruling that grants former President Donald Trump immunity from prosecution for certain official acts. The ruling, issued by the Supreme Court on Monday, has significant implications for the ongoing investigations into Trump’s actions surrounding the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot.

The Supreme Court’s decision, which saw a 6-3 split along ideological lines, declared that former presidents retain some immunity from prosecution for actions taken in their official capacity. This ruling could potentially delay legal proceedings against Trump until after the November election, providing a significant advantage to the former president. Trump celebrated the ruling on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling it a “big win for our constitution and democracy.”

In response to the ruling, Ocasio-Cortez took to X to express her outrage, stating, “The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control. Today’s ruling represents an assault on American democracy.” She announced her plan to draft articles of impeachment against the conservative justices who supported the decision, which includes the six justices appointed by Republican presidents.

Impeaching a Supreme Court justice is an extremely rare and challenging process. The only justice to have been impeached was Associate Justice Samuel Chase in 1804. Although the House passed an impeachment resolution against him, he was acquitted by the Senate. Given the current political landscape, with Republicans controlling the House, it is highly unlikely that any articles of impeachment would advance, let alone pass.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, calling it a dangerous precedent that could lead to unchecked presidential power. “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.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) echoed these sentiments, describing the decision as a “sad day for our democracy” and denouncing the “MAGA Supreme Court” for shielding Trump from prosecution.

Legal experts have raised concerns about the broader implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, in her dissenting opinion, warned that the decision constitutes a “five-alarm fire that threatens to consume democratic self-governance.” She and other liberal justices argued that the ruling could protect future presidents from prosecution for potentially criminal acts carried out under the guise of official duties.

The ruling raises fears about future presidents abusing their official powers with impunity. Legal scholars and former prosecutors have expressed concerns that the decision could embolden presidents to engage in unlawful activities without fear of prosecution. Randall Eliason, a former prosecutor and professor at George Washington University Law School, highlighted the risks, stating, “The lesson for future autocrats is next time make sure you abuse the official levers of power.”

While Ocasio-Cortez’s move to impeach the Supreme Court justices faces significant hurdles, it underscores the deepening political and ideological divisions surrounding the nation’s highest court. The debate over the Supreme Court’s role and the limits of presidential immunity will likely continue to dominate political discourse in the coming months.