On Wednesday, July 10, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) introduced articles of impeachment against United States Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, citing serious ethical violations. Ocasio-Cortez accuses both justices of failing to disclose significant gifts and refusing to recuse themselves from cases involving personal financial interests, which she argues undermines the integrity of the judiciary.
The articles against Justice Thomas include three key accusations: failing to report travel accommodations and tuition for his grandnephew provided by Republican mega-donor Harlan Crow, failing to disclose real estate transactions with Crow, and refusing to recuse himself from cases involving the 2020 presidential election despite his wife Ginni Thomas’s involvement in efforts to overturn the results. Ocasio-Cortez states, “Justice Thomas’s actions betray his judicial oath and constitute a clear case for impeachment.”
Justice Alito faces two articles of impeachment. One addresses his failure to disclose trips funded by individuals with interests before the Supreme Court, including a 2008 trip with billionaire Paul Singer. The second article concerns Alito’s refusal to recuse himself from cases involving former President Donald Trump despite flying flags associated with the January 6 Capitol riot outside his homes. Alito has claimed these flags were flown by his wife without his knowledge of their political implications.
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the necessity of congressional action, stating, “Given the court’s inability to maintain its own ethical standards, Congress has a moral and democratic obligation to intervene and impeach.” She argued that these ethical breaches pose a significant threat to the American rule of law and the integrity of the judiciary.
The impeachment articles are unlikely to advance in the Republican-controlled House, where GOP lawmakers have accused Democrats of attempting to undermine the Supreme Court’s legitimacy in response to recent controversial rulings. These include decisions on abortion rights, gun control, and presidential powers, which have intensified scrutiny of the justices’ ethical conduct.
The Supreme Court has not yet responded to the impeachment efforts. However, the initiative has gained support from several Democratic representatives, including Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who co-sponsored the articles. This move underscores ongoing Democratic efforts to address perceived ethical lapses within the highest court.
This impeachment effort is part of a broader strategy by Democrats to hold the Supreme Court accountable. The Senate Judiciary Committee is currently investigating the court’s ethics practices and is expected to release its findings later this summer, further intensifying the focus on judicial accountability.
