Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls for the impeachment of Supreme Court justices

New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declared on X her intention to submit a request for the impeachment of U.S. Supreme Court justices following a controversial decision that will grant future presidents immunity for crimes committed while in office.

AOC Looks to Impeach Supreme Court Justices After Trump Immunity Ruling. That’s Only Happened Once, in 1805 https://t.co/7Lwp1yAZ8u

— People (@people) July 2, 2024

Many have argued that the Court’s decision to elevate the president above the law poses a danger to American democracy.

In a ruling arising from a federal case in which Donald Trump was involved, it was declared that while former presidents enjoy absolute immunity in the performance of their duties, this immunity does not extend to private actions.

His lawyers then argued that Trump’s alleged efforts to reverse the results of the 2020 presidential election were an integral part of his duties as president. Prosecutors maintained, however, that Trump was not acting as president, but as a presidential candidate.

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.

I intend on filing articles of impeachment upon our return.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 1, 2024

Ocasio-Cortez blames the Supreme Court for being caught up in an unprecedented corruption crisis. AOC describes the Supreme Court’s decision as an “attack on American democracy”. It also points out that Congress is charged with protecting the country from “authoritarian control”.

Ocasio-Cortez’s efforts are unlikely to succeed, however, as Republicans hold the majority of seats in the House of Representatives, and Democratic Party leaders are not yet fully on board with her idea of impeaching a judge.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says impeachment is not the answer.

Democrats are currently stepping up their efforts to exert greater influence on the Supreme Court, which is mired in several scandals, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade.