Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is once again making headlines, this time with her plans to draft articles of impeachment following a Supreme Court ruling that grants former President Donald Trump some immunity from prosecution related to his actions after the 2020 election. In a post to X on Monday, Ocasio-Cortez declared, “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.” The New York Democrat seems to believe that Congress can save the day by targeting the Supreme Court itself.
Ocasio-Cortez has been rather vague about which justices she plans to target with these impeachment articles, leaving everyone guessing. The Washington Examiner reached out for clarification, but it seems like even they might be left hanging. The House, currently on recess until July 8, will be back soon, and if Ocasio-Cortez follows through with her plan, the GOP-led House Judiciary Committee will be the first to review these articles. The chances of this leading to anything substantial? Well, let’s just say the odds aren’t in her favor.
If she files these articles as privileged, the House GOP leaders will have two legislative days to bring it up for a vote. The more likely scenario? A motion to table, essentially putting her impeachment dream on ice. Ocasio-Cortez has been a vocal opponent of several recent Supreme Court decisions, not to mention her ongoing crusade against Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas over undisclosed gifts and alleged political bias. Republicans, however, have largely dismissed these concerns as mere smear campaigns designed to undermine the court’s legitimacy.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision, penned by Chief Justice John Roberts, held that a former president is entitled to “absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority” and “presumptive immunity” for all official acts. However, it did clarify that there’s no immunity for “unofficial acts.” This decision doesn’t let Trump off the hook for his four-count indictment led by special counsel Jack Smith but sends the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which of Trump’s actions were official versus private conduct.
House Republicans, predictably, have celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) took to social media, hailing the decision as a win not just for Trump but for the Constitution. “Jack Smith’s prosecution against President Trump is purely political,” Hern wrote. “Today’s ruling affirms the constitutional authority of the executive and ensures presidents won’t be targeted for doing their job.” It seems, once again, the political theater in Washington is gearing up for another act, with AOC playing the role of the relentless antagonist against a backdrop of judicial decisions and partisan divides.