The Supreme Court has faced a corruption crisis in recent years, and a New York Democrat believes that Congress has a responsibility to protect the nation from this authoritarian capture. The congresswoman plans to file articles of impeachment upon the House’s return from recess.
It is unclear which justices will be impeached, but Justice Clarence Thomas has been suggested in the past as someone who should be held accountable for not disclosing luxurious trips funded by Republican billionaires. The recent court ruling on presidents’ immunity from criminal prosecution has raised concerns, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor warning about the implications of such a decision.
The impeachment attempt by Ocasio-Cortez may face challenges due to Republican control of the House and resistance from some Democratic leaders. However, it marks a significant step in increasing oversight over the Supreme Court. In recent years, the court has been embroiled in ethics scandals and issued several conservative opinions that have overturned previous precedents, including the controversial decision on Roe v. Wade in 2022.
The last time a Supreme Court Justice was impeached was over 200 years ago, when Samuel Chase survived the effort in 1804. Filing impeachment articles against sitting justices is a rare occurrence, but it reflects growing concerns about the integrity and practices of the high court in recent years.