Toomey Opens Debate About Impeaching State Supreme Court Justices After Redistricting Decision

Townhall ^ | 2/21/18 | Cortney O'Brien

[Kay Ludlow]

Is impeachment an option for Pennsylvania state supreme court justices after their decision to redraw the state's congressional map? It at least deserves a "conversation," Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) suggested Wednesday.

[Kay Ludlow]

I'd be good with impeachment for the State Judges usurping the power of the legislature to redraw the District Map to benefit their out-of-power party!

[Dalberg-Acton]

Needs to be done with federal judges too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois%27_congressional_districts

[Red Badger]

Had the Dems won the legislature, and drew the districts to favor themselves, the PSCOTUS would not have a word to say.................

[Buckeye McFrog]

The State Supreme Court judges were elected in an off-year election. Republican voters were asleep at the switch, while the unions cranked-up the GOTV effort to 11.

This is all part of a methodical, long-term plan.

[NRx]

Absolutely! They have massively overstepped their constitutional prerogatives and usurped the rights of the state legislature. And I say that as someone who actually agrees with their basic argument that the legislative map was insane. It’s one thing to declare a map constitutionally flawed. It is another to just trample the constitutional rights of the legislature.

[Kay Ludlow]

You’re right. As a matter of fact, back in the day when PA DID have a democrat legislature, no one stepped in toe change the way they were drawn, the judiciary or any one else!

[Amendment10]

Regarding questionable redistricting decisions, repeal the ill-conceived 17th Amendment.

The 16th Amendment can disappear too.

[Kay Ludlow]

Not only stepped up GOTV efforts, but likely used cheating during off-elections instead of just the ‘main’ elections.

[armourenthusiast]

"The State Supreme Court judges were elected in an off-year election. Republican voters were asleep at the switch, while the unions cranked-up the GOTV effort to 11.

This is all part of a methodical, long-term plan."

I agree. Remember Soros, he funds/funded Secretary of State candidates all over the place (they usually control election issues). Now he concentrates on States Attorney Generals also.

[Kay Ludlow]

I’m with you there.

[Ciexyz]

They really messed up my district, PA-18, in western PA. They reduced it to a thumbprint on the map and dropped the portions that lie outside of Allegheny County, a big Democratic stronghold. That’s going to nullify my Republican vote. What a crock of sh**.

[Socon-Econ]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained — why not start here?

[fieldmarshaldj]

I brought that up here the moment that illegal and unconstitutional dictate was ordered.

[Political Junkie Too]

The Pennsylvania GOP should go to the Supreme Court and argue equal protection.

There is nothing equal about the Pennsylvania court rejecting their redistricting, while:

• Sheila Jackson Lee (D) can have her district in Texas.

  

• Eric Swalwell (D) can have his district in California.

  

• Mark DeSaulnier (D) can have his district in California.

  

• Frederica Wilson (D) has her district in Florida.

  

• Elijah Cummings (D) has his district in Maryland.

  

• Alcee Hastings (D) has his district in Florida.

  

• Jim Clyburn (D) has his district in South Carolina.

  

• Luis Gutiérrez (D) has his district in Illinois.

  

Let's post more maps. Clearly, there isn't any equal protection for Republican Congressmen in Pennsylvania to have the same redistricting rights as Democrats across the country.

-PJ

[Brilliant]

What is the percent of Democrats on the Supreme Court? If it’s more than 50.8% then some of them must resign.

[edh]

You should add the entire states of Massachusetts and Connecticut to your pics along with a map showing red vs. blue population by county. There is no reason at all for those states to be solid blue.

[fieldmarshaldj]

It was a GOP court until the Democrats won a couple seats from the majority in special court elections recently. It was then when the Dem “Justices” decided they didn’t like or want the duly and legally enacted redistricting by the GOP legislature and signed off by then-Gov. Corbett for 2012 and made up their own maps to purge a half-dozen Republican Congressmembers and have the minority Democrats installed in their seats via a Democrat court gerrymander to give them a majority. This is a criminal, revolutionary act by a lawless court.

[Kay Ludlow]

Hmmm. OK PA Constitution Article VI says :

Power of Impeachment
Section 4

The House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment.
Trial of Impeachments
Section 5

All impeachments shall be tried by the Senate. When sitting for that purpose the Senators shall be upon oath or affirmation. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.
Officers Liable to Impeachment
Section 6

The Governor and all other civil officers shall be liable to impeachment for any misbehavior in office, but judgment in such cases shall not extend further than to removal from office and disqualification to hold any office of trust or profit under this Commonwealth. The person accused, whether convicted or acquitted, shall nevertheless be liable to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment according to law.

There is a section on Discipline for judges, but it says that doesn’t impact Article VI (above).

Maybe we just call/write/demand that the PA house impeach and the PA Senate convict / remove?

[HamiltonJay]

There has only been one time in my life I can recall Supremes not winning re-election once on the bench, let alone impeach... and that was back when the whole middle of the night pay raise thing happened.

Legislature is meant for legislation, not judiciary. Judiciary should NEVER be setting districts.. kick it back to the legislature, fine, but to just fiat dictate it... That’s incomprehensible... At least in a sane world.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Through the State Disciplinary Board any Pennsylvanian can file a complaint about any member of the bar in this Commonwealth.

Perhaps we should all Flood the Zone with complaints about the judges who made this decision?