Ocasio-Cortez Announces Impeachment Push Following SCOTUS Trump Immunity Decision
By Jake Beardslee ·
July 2, 2024
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has announced plans to file impeachment articles against at least one Supreme Court justice in response to the court's recent decision granting partial immunity to former President Donald Trump. The ruling pertains to Trump's ongoing legal challenges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Democratic National Convention via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the House Oversight Committee, wrote in a post on X: "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."
The congresswoman's office has not yet specified which justice or justices will be targeted by the impeachment articles. @AOC / X
The Supreme Court's decision, which protects Trump from prosecution for "official" actions taken during his presidency, has drawn widespread criticism from Democrats. Seth Wenig/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) released a statement, saying: "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." Office of Representative Hakeem Jeffries / Wikimedia
In contrast, Republican allies of Trump have welcomed the ruling. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), chair of the GOP conference, stated in a press release, "The President of the United States must have immunity, like Members of Congress and federal judges, which is necessary for any presidency to function properly." United States House of Representatives / Wikimedia
The court's decision leaves the definition of "official" actions to lower courts, potentially delaying the case's resolution until after the November presidential election. This timeline has further intensified criticism from Democrats and Trump opponents. Mark Peterson/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
Adding to the controversy are the connections of Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito to Trump's "Stop the Steal" movement, leading to calls for their recusal from Jan. 6-related cases, according to The New York Times. Jack Gruber/USA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ocasio-Cortez alluded to these concerns in her announcement, stating, "The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control." nrkbeta / Wikimedia
