Just hours after the United State Supreme Court ruled in Trump v. United States that a former president has substantial immunity from prosecution for official acts committed while in office, a pair of DFL members of Congress were renewing their calls to “expand the court.”
“The Supreme a court [sic] is broken,” Sen. Tina Smith wrote late Monday evening, referencing the court’s decision published earlier in the day. “Today they proved once again that they are a threat to our democracy. There is one clear remedy: Expand the Court.”
While Minnesota’s most senior Democrat in Congress, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, was silent on Monday’s ruling, Smith was joined in her call for expanding the court by Rep. Ilhan Omar, who on Tuesday took to social media to clarify statements she made the evening prior.
“I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Expand the court,” Omar said in a statement on X.
The evening prior the three-term Minneapolis Democrat used her social media platform to castigate the court for its ruling, where she suggested that President Joe Biden and Democratic leaders “need a real plan to fight fascism and authoritarianism.”
“Talking about what the unconscionable decision of the Court means at the moment is not enough, it’s time to strategize and make a plan,” said Omar, who is locked in a heated primary rematch with former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels. “People are scared and they need to hear a plan of action from the President and Democrats.”
Omar’s fellow ‘Squad’ member, AOC, calls for impeachment of SCOTUS
Omar also appeared to endorse a statement from fellow “Squad” member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in which the New York City congresswoman promised to file articles of impeachment against members of the Supreme Court in the wake of its ruling. She didn’t specify which, or how many, of the justices she would target. While Ocasio-Cortez sits on the House Oversight Committee, Republicans control the chamber by five votes.
“The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Tuesday, not long after the news of the ruling broke. “Today’s ruling represents an assault on American democracy. It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture. I intend on filing articles of impeachment upon our return.”
The statements of AOC, Omar and Smith were stark in their contrast from those of Minnesota’s top Republican in Congress, Rep. Tom Emmer.
“The Democrats have proven they will do everything in their power — including weaponizing our justice system — to destroy their top political opponent, Donald Trump,” said Emmer, who, as the House majority whip, is the GOP’s third-ranking member.
“Today’s Supreme Court decision is a positive step in the right direction of ending their senseless lawfare,” Emmer continued.
Emmer’s fellow Minnesota GOP Congressman Brad Finstad echoed those sentiments.
“It is clear that the Biden Administration’s relentless prosecution of former President Trump has weaponized the justice system in pursuit of political gain,” said Finstad, who is running for a second term to represent Minnesota’s First Congressional District. “Today’s Supreme Court decision upholds the Constitution by establishing that a president cannot be prosecuted for official actions. This is a step in the right direction and a victory for American democracy.”
Hank Long
Hank Long is a journalism and communications professional whose writing career includes coverage of the Minnesota legislature, city and county governments and the commercial real estate industry. Hank received his undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota, where he studied journalism, and his law degree at the University of St. Thomas. The Minnesota native lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and four children. His dream is to be around when the Vikings win the Super Bowl.
