The Supreme Court of the United States currently has a conservative majority. In an effort to address this imbalance, progressive Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has initiated an impeachment process against two of the court’s justices, a move that is widely viewed as unlikely to succeed.
The Supreme Court consists of nine justices, six of whom are considered conservative. Many of these conservative justices were appointed by former President Donald Trump. US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a liberal Democrat, has expressed concerns over this majority, deeming it unfair. Consequently, she has launched an impeachment effort against Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, two of the court’s most conservative members.
Ocasio-Cortez and other Democratic lawmakers have accused these justices of ethical misconduct. They allege that both Thomas and Alito have indirectly supported or condoned efforts to overturn Trump’s 2020 election defeat. Additionally, flags from right-wing groups, indicative of support for the Capitol riot, were seen near Alito’s residence, though Alito attributed this to his wife. Thomas has faced criticism for accepting undisclosed trips from a wealthy benefactor, which he defended as personal hospitality not subject to disclosure requirements.
Ocasio-Cortez argues that the justices’ failure to disclose substantial gifts from friends who had cases before the court constitutes corruption. She claims that the mingling of personal and financial interests by Thomas and Alito poses a threat to the integrity of the US judicial system and democracy.
Despite these allegations, the impeachment process is unlikely to succeed. It requires a vote in the House of Representatives to begin, followed by a conviction in the Senate. With Republicans holding a majority in the House, they are expected to protect the conservative justices from impeachment.
In recent years, the Supreme Court has advanced several right-wing policies regarding abortion rights, gun rights, and broader immunity for former presidents.
