Rep. Cohen files impeachment articles against Chief Justice Roberts

Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee has filed six articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, accusing him of turning the court into a partisan force and violating his constitutional duties. Cohen, a Democrat who represents the Memphis area and is not seeking reelection, announced the filing on May 21, arguing that Roberts has presided over a pattern of decisions that benefit Republicans and undermine public trust in the judiciary.

The articles of impeachment allege that Roberts committed high crimes and misdemeanors by breaching his oath of office and failing to uphold the Constitution. Cohen specifically cited the court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, a redistricting case that he said allowed Republicans to redraw congressional maps in a way that harmed minority voters. He also pointed to the 2024 decision granting President Donald Trump broad immunity for official actions, arguing that it placed a single person above the law.

In a statement, Cohen said Roberts has led the court to be “understood as biased with decisions designed to benefit Republicans at the expense of representative government.” He added that correcting the court’s...