AOC Files Articles Against Alito
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has made headlines by filing articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, accusing them of "unchecked corruption." This bold move follows her previous warnings and centers on allegations of undisclosed gifts and a failure to recuse themselves from cases with significant personal and financial implications.
In her statement, Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the gravity of the situation, declaring, "The unchecked corruption crisis on the Supreme Court has now spiraled into a Constitutional crisis threatening American democracy writ large."
She criticized Justices Thomas and Alito for their alleged repeated failures to disclose receiving substantial gifts from wealthy conservatives and for not recusing themselves from cases where they had clear conflicts of interest. These actions, she argued, "constitute a grave threat to American rule of law, the integrity of our democracy, and one of the clearest cases for which the tool of impeachment was designed."
The articles of impeachment outline several charges. For Justice Thomas, they include undisclosed gifts and his refusal to recuse himself from cases where his wife's legal and financial interests were involved. For Justice Alito, the charges include similar allegations of failing to disclose gifts and not recusing himself in cases where he had personal biases or prejudices.
Ocasio-Cortez has been vocal about her concerns regarding the Supreme Court's integrity for some time. She initially threatened to file articles of impeachment after the Supreme Court's ruling in former President Trump's immunity case, which she saw as granting excessive protection to presidential actions.
"The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control," she wrote on X following the decision. She called the ruling "an assault on American democracy" and vowed to take action upon Congress's return.
The controversy surrounding Alito also involves his personal political beliefs and symbols. Critics, including Ocasio-Cortez, have pointed to Alito flying an "appeal to heaven" flag at his home, a symbol historically associated with American independence. They argue that this flag and his actions reflect a bias in favor of Trump and participants in the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Ocasio-Cortez's articles of impeachment mark a significant escalation in the ongoing debate over the Supreme Court's role and conduct. The charges she has brought forward highlight deep concerns about the ethical standards of the highest court in the land.
The accusations against Justices Thomas and Alito focus on their financial entanglements and failure to maintain impartiality in their judicial duties.