This is a dramatic development.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York took decisive action on Wednesday, submitting articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, citing what she described as rampant corruption.
In a detailed statement, Ocasio-Cortez underscored her concerns over alleged ethical breaches by the justices, pointing to undisclosed gifts received by Justice Thomas from affluent conservatives, and controversies surrounding Justice Alito’s personal affiliations and residential decisions.
“The unchecked corruption within the Supreme Court has escalated into a constitutional crisis that threatens the very fabric of American democracy,” Ocasio-Cortez stated. “Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have repeatedly failed to recuse themselves from critical cases despite their documented financial and personal ties, posing a severe threat to the rule of law, democratic integrity, and warranting the use of impeachment as a corrective measure.”
She continued to assert that Justices Thomas and Alito’s decades-long failure to disclose substantial financial gifts, coupled with their refusal to step aside from cases involving their spouses’ legal and financial interests, constituted clear violations of law and a profound constitutional breach.
Ocasio-Cortez’s formal filing included three impeachment articles against Justice Thomas and two against Justice Alito. The charges against Thomas focused on his alleged acceptance of undisclosed gifts and his failure to recuse himself from cases potentially implicating his wife’s legal matters.
Similarly, the charges against Alito centered on allegations of failing to disclose gifts and exhibiting bias in cases where personal predispositions could have influenced his decisions.
The congresswoman had previously signaled her intent to pursue impeachment proceedings following a Supreme Court ruling related to former President Trump’s claims of immunity. She criticized the ruling as an affront to democratic principles and vowed to defend against what she termed as authoritarian overreach.
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court marks a dangerous consolidation of power,” Ocasio-Cortez previously remarked. “Congress must act decisively to safeguard our democracy from this alarming trend. I will proceed with articles of impeachment upon our return.”
Ocasio-Cortez further argued that Justice Alito’s display of an “appeal to heaven” flag at his residence signaled bias in favor of President Trump and participants in the January 6th Capitol riot, a symbol historically linked to American independence.
The representative’s move underscores a deepening political divide over the role and integrity of the judiciary in American governance, setting the stage for a contentious debate over the balance of power and accountability within the Supreme Court.