Calling for the Impeachment of Chief Justice John Roberts
Dear Friend,
This week, I introduced six Articles of Impeachment against Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts for committing high crimes and misdemeanors by violating the Constitution, disregarding his statutory obligations as Chief Justice, and breaching his oaths of office. I also urged Donald Trump to grant clemency to federal prisoners serving time for non-violent marijuana offenses, condemned the creation of a $1.776 billion slush fund for payoffs to his allies and cronies, welcomed the inclusion of several of my priorities in the surface transportation reauthorization bill, celebrated the 85th anniversary of Freedom House, recognized the work of the Head Start program for children in our community, offered a Bill Day cartoon, a health tip and best wishes for a nice Memorial Day weekend. Keep reading and follow me on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram to see what I am doing as it happens.
Calling for the Impeachment of Chief Justice John Roberts
Urging Trump to Commute the Sentences of Non-Violent Marijuana Offenders
Condemning Creation of Trump’s $1.776 Billion Slush Fund
Welcoming Inclusion of My Priorities in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act
Celebrating 85th Anniversary of Freedom House
Recognizing 61 Years of Head Start
Wishing Everyone a Memorable Memorial Day
Calling for the Impeachment of Chief Justice John Roberts
On Thursday, I introduced six Articles of Impeachment against Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts for committing high crimes and misdemeanors by violating the Constitution, disregarding his statutory obligations as Chief Justice, and breaching his oaths of office. I am saddened that the United States Supreme Court, once the most admired federal institution, has now become a political actor. While Chief Justice Roberts may claim otherwise, it has become clear that the Court now routinely favors partisanship, the rich over the poor, and the powerful over the vulnerable. This is a shift that undermines the Constitution of the United States, the very document the Court is required to defend, and demonstrates the Chief Justice’s unwillingness or inability to uphold his oath of office. Due process, equal protection under the law, impartiality, and independence must be the core of our judicial system. The leap to partisanship, favoritism, arbitrary, inconsistent, and unexplained decisions, and a flagrant disregard for the statutory safeguards and ethical norms designed to enforce the Court’s impartiality leaves Congress with few options to restore dignity and accountability to the Court. Roberts’ claim that the court is apolitical, then releasing the Callais ruling immediately after Virginia voters created more Democratic-leaning districts and in time for southern states like Tennessee to be redistricted, is simply false. If he didn’t foresee the ruling would be viewed by the public as partisan and harmful to the Court’s reputation, he’s naïve or negligent. See my release on the articles here.
Urging Trump to Commute the Sentences of Non-Violent Marijuana Offenders
This morning, I led a letter with Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey and Congressman Steven Horsford of Nevada to President Trump and his pardon czar, Alice Marie Johnson, seeking the commutation of the sentences of all serving in federal prisons for non-violent marijuana-related offenses. A disproportionate share of those imprisoned for marijuana offenses are African Americans. Nearly 9 in 10 Americans believe that marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational purposes. While Trump has consistently misused and abused the pardon power, his use of it to free the thousands serving unnecessarily harsh sentences would be commendable. See my release on the letter here.
Condemning Creation of Trump’s $1.776 Billion Slush Fund
Trump dropped his sham $10 billion case against the Internal Revenue Service in exchange for a $1.776 billion dollar slush fund for payoffs to his allies and friends and the promise that IRS audits of his and his family members’ taxes will be abandoned. The New York Times called the arrangement the most corrupt undertaking in modern American history, and it has been broadly condemned, even by Republicans. Some of the money could go to the January 6 rioters who brutalized police officers and damaged and defiled the U.S. Capitol, which would be disgraceful. Senator Marsha Blackburn, now running for governor, claims she was a victim after Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed her phone records to see if she called the White House during the January 6 riots could be eligible. And Andy Ogles, being investigated for campaign finance violations who could soon be the congressman from Midtown Memphis, might be considering tapping the slush fund. I joined my congressional colleagues on the Judiciary Committee Wednesday in introducing the No Taxpayer-Funded Settlement Slush Fund Act. This unprecedented corruption must be stopped.
Welcoming Inclusion of My Priorities in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act
On Thursday, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee marked up a five-year surface transportation bill that included several of the priorities I have championed. See details in my release on the markup here.
Celebrating 85th Anniversary of Freedom House
On Wednesday evening, I attended the 85th Anniversary of Freedom House at its annual awards ceremony. Founded in 1941 to combat fascism and authoritarianism, Freedom House is the oldest American organization devoted to the support and defense of democracy around this world. This year’s award winners reflect a global movement advancing freedom and defending political prisoners, journalists and democracy advocates. As the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Political Prisoners, I’m pleased to support Freedom House’s ongoing commitment to advancing freedom at home and abroad.
Recognizing 61 Years of Head Start
The Head Start program, which helps underprivileged children in our community prepare socially and academically for school, celebrated its 61st anniversary on Monday. I commend the organizations in our community, like Porter-Leath Inc., and the teachers and staff devoted to this important work.
A Bill Day Cartoon – “Crime Pays”
Summer-like heat has returned and, with it, mosquitoes. The Shelby County Health Department will begin its truck-mounted spraying program to prevent the transmission of West Nile Virus. One reported case of the disease has already been detected in Shelby County. Read more about the spraying program here.
Wishing Everyone a Memorable Memorial Day
On Memorial Day Monday, we will pay tribute to the brave men and women in uniform who gave their lives defending our nation. We reflect on their courage, commitment to our country, and sacrifices they and their families have made to keep us safe. While spending time with family and friends this holiday weekend, I appreciate your joining me in taking a moment to recognize that sacrifice.
“It is worth pausing to put the fund into the larger context of Mr. Trump’s political project: He is destroying pillars of American democracy to empower himself. He claims elections are legitimate only if he wins. He uses federal law enforcement to investigate and prosecute his perceived enemies. He purges his party of officials who defy him. He describes members of the other party and civil society as traitors and enemies. He incentivizes his supporters to break the law on his behalf and rewards them when they do. He directs his allies to change election rules to keep his party in power.” -- The New York Times editorial Wednesday titled “There Has Never Been an Example of Presidential Corruption Like This”
“I think it’s stupid on stilts. It will invariably put us in a position where your taxpayer dollars and my taxpayer dollars could potentially compensate someone who assaulted a police officer, admitted their guilt, got convicted, got pardoned, and now we’re going to pay them for that? That’s absurd. The American people are going to reject this out of hand…When you take money from me to give to a purpose that I vehemently disagree with, that’s tyranny.” – North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis this week on the Trump slush fund
“So goodbye yellow brick road
Where the dogs of society howl
You can’t plant me in your penthouse
I’m going back to my plough
Back to the howling old owl in the woods
Hunting the horny back toad
Oh, I’ve finally decided my future lies
Beyond the yellow brick road” – “Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road” written by Bernie Taupin, born on this day in 1950.
As always, I remain
Sincerely,
|
Steve Cohen
Member of Congress