Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced plans to introduce articles of impeachment against the U.S. Supreme Court justices on Monday after the court ruled that presidents have immunity for official actions.
The court on Monday ruled that former presidents have absolute immunity for official acts but no immunity for private acts. The case centers on the federal case of former President Donald Trump’s alleged attempts at overturning the 2020 presidential election results.
Trump’s attorneys argued that his actions constituted official presidential acts and that he was raising concerns about the election’s legitimacy in his official capacity as president. Prosecutors, however, argue that he was acting as a candidate, not a president, at the time.
While Trump celebrated the ruling, many legal and political analysts sounded the alarm about its implications, with some arguing it places presidents above the law.
Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, wrote early Monday afternoon that she would introduce articles of impeachment against the court in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“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,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote.