Impeach John Roberts

There is simply no excuse for United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts bungling the presidential oath of office to such an extent that Barack Obama might need to do it again, at least in private, to ensure the legality of his inauguration.

Roberts should be impeached and removed from office for this unforgivable error. The Constitution requires certain language for a presidential oath of office. Roberts blew it. And if he doesn't understand such things he should be fired for misfeasance of the first order.

Craig blogs daily at CQ Trail Mix.

Comments

[Laurie Mann]

10:06 AM on 01/22/2009

I"m not a fan of Roberts, but it was a very cold day, the situation was probably quite stressful for Roberts, and I don't think it was deliberate. It also made Roberts look stupid. Unlike most members of the former Bush administration, Roberts generally avoided looking stupid.

[Alci]

09:32 AM on 01/22/2009

Impeaching Roberts for someting so trival is way over the top. The only thing that has any relevance is the constitution which states that the newly elected president shall become president at noon on the 20 of Jan. The oath is just show business.

[steelhammr]

08:55 AM on 01/22/2009

Impeachment is appropriate. It is correct to hold the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to a higher standard than your everyday government employee. This event (the inauguration) has significance for the American people. It is a reverent moment in our political maturity. Roberts knew exactly what he was doing, white men in robes have been putting black men "in their place" for the "crime" of achieving from the beginning of this nation. Even if this was a "mistake", Roberts knows the import and implications of its context. He should have offered his resignation in contrition. The dignity and unbiased appearance of the court were and are at stake. We have a duty as a people to call him to account. His example is unworthy of the office he holds, it would be just that the victim of his insult should chose his successor. Obama surely would object to this sanction, taking the high road as would be appropriate given his direct connection to this event. This is not his call. We the people have the authority and the responsibility to insist that our Supreme Court be occupied by only those who can exhibit a clear understanding of our moral gravity. Roberts doesn't get it and we have a duty to demand he step down. Impeach NOW!

[chitown]

11:26 AM on 01/22/2009

I tend to agree with you. But Obama outplayed Roberts by shrugging it off.

[steelhammr]

07:19 AM on 01/23/2009

What the President did to neutralize the insult the Chief Justice goes to his personal savvy, the principle here is the standard we as a people hold this most powerful citizen in our body politic to. What standard do you think is appropriate for the individual charged with representing the court from which there is no appeal? Given the shameful historical precedence of the Supreme Court regarding the respect and dignity of people of color the standard needs be high indeed. Impeachment is appropriate and our duty.

[lisa12345]

04:53 AM on 01/22/2009

IMO, this is a small mistake. This is not a conspiracy. I actually enjoyed the moment--President Obama was laughing good-naturedly over it. If our society makes a big deal out of this, I am going to know we are in even worse shape than I thought. This is much ado about nothing--why are we so pettty? Americans--we are good people, yet when did we become a people that frequently fret over petty issues and raise them to a level worthy of public discussion? Petty issues serve the same function as wedge issues--they are discussed and focused on while important matters get little attention. No, most people aren't purposely trying to use them as a wedge, but they wind up serving the same function. Our citizens want us to get along, they will only get disgusted with us if we keep bickering. We need to pick battles worth "fighting" over, and there will be so many important reasons to "debate" the Repubs in the future that perhaps we should wait for a substantial matter to arise. I am sure that some of them are just around the corner.

[cherrylips]

02:59 AM on 01/22/2009

The Robert f-up was a not so subtle way of trying to sabotage President Obama. They wanted to cast a shadow of doubt over the validity of President Obama's status as President just as Bush's credibility has been questioned since the Supreme Court's installation of Bush in 2000.

[Catothemuchyounger]

09:40 AM on 01/22/2009

These types of comments are truly in the tin foil hat mode. Fact is, Roberts screwed up in front of the world. He has to have been feeling pretty humiliated. The idea that he did this on purpose is beyond ludicrous.

[TheMediaRanger]

12:57 AM on 01/22/2009

Quiet! I'm making a fortune in John Roberts bobble head dolls.

[GoCards1978]

10:17 AM on 01/22/2009

LMAO!

[nikto]

12:45 AM on 01/22/2009

Rabid Rightwinger Roberts is either incompetent or engaged
in some sneaky, slimy shenanigans.

YOU decide.

[JEdgarH]

11:40 PM on 01/21/2009

It was the Justice's first time in giving the oath of office, but you would have thought he would have checked out old tapes of other inaugural oaths and then practice giving his instead of talking over Obama and then flubbing the words.

[DAE]

09:00 PM on 01/21/2009

The oath was invalidated by the inclusion of the phrase "so help me God," which is nowhere to be found in the Constitution. Article 2, Section 1 does not include that clause it simply states: "Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation: — "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." What immediately follows next is Section 2 which refers to "The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States." In fact, no reference to to the word "God," is found anywhere in the Constitution.

[McFlipFlop]

06:56 PM on 01/22/2009

Thanks for the quotes! Adding something to the end does not invalidate, however.

[EnuffsEnuffAlready]

08:31 PM on 01/21/2009

Chill, Craig. Have YOU never in your whole life mis-spoken? You think you could stand in front of two million people with the whole world watching, with no possibility of flubbing, because of some innate perfection you have? People are flawed humans subject to unintentional mistakes. Cut the race...of which Roberts too is a part...some slack.

[LaColombe]

07:08 PM on 01/21/2009

Have CNN's John Roberts do the re-do...Ha! Ha!

[Ro2dawn]

07:05 PM on 01/21/2009

This proves, once again, that the Bush Administration appointees can't do anything right. Not even the Chief Justice. WOW!!

[nikto]

01:26 PM on 01/23/2009

Bush appointees couldn't run a hotdog stand.

Their incompetence is legendary.

Their immorality is total.

[NoblesseOblige]

06:58 PM on 01/21/2009

I think Chief Justice Roberts should have issued a public apology and then offered to re-do the oath at the White House--at the convenience of the new president. Witnesses and cameras could facilitate a record for posterity. But, that may be a bit too late now. And, I'm sure if there was any doubt on Obama's part (being a Constitutional expert), he would have immediately insisted on a re-do.

[albabe]

06:33 PM on 01/21/2009

It may sound petty, but I completely agree. These zealot ideologues will do, and have done, an amazing array of BS over the last 8 years... and this might just be another partisan snub from the Partisan Zealot, Roberts.

Get him out! It'll be really fun to watch.

[bonjovi1]

06:17 PM on 01/21/2009

just take a deep breath and chill out, Craig

[fem56]

06:43 PM on 01/21/2009

I agree. This is very silly.

[TutorMatt]

07:17 PM on 01/21/2009

Was I wrong to assume that Huffington Post contributors are to have at least a rudimentary familiarity with the topics upon which they blog?

FACT: According to the United States Constitution, the President-elect becomes President at 12:00 PM. The botched oath at 12:04 PM had no bearing on that result.

FACT: According to the United States Constitution, Justices of the Supreme Court hold office so long as they perform their duty "in good behavior."

Unless you're suggesting that (1) the United States Constitution is wrong or (2) that one line of earnest, garbled speech is cause for impeachment, I humbly suggest you reconsider your "very silly" call to action.

Perhaps you'd do better to read up a bit before you presume to inform the rest of us.