Charlie Crist Wants Justices Kavanaugh and Gorsuch Impeached After SCOTUS Abortion Ruling

June 28, 2022 Updated 8:51 A.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Democratic candidate for Governor Charlie Crist called for Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to be impeached after they sided with the majority to overturn Roe v. Wade Friday. 

“Today’s (Friday’s) ruling makes clear that Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh lied to Congress when they testified under oath that in their view Roe v. Wade was settled precedent,” Crist said. 

“Perjury is a crime,” Crist explained. “If perjury is found to have occurred, the correct remedy is impeachment.”

Crist did not provide evidence of perjury. 

NPR reports that Trump-appointed Justice Gorsuch told Senators during his confirmation hearing that Roe is precedent. 

“I would tell you that Roe v. Wade, decided in 1973, is a precedent of the United States Supreme Court. It has been reaffirmed,” he said. “A good judge will consider it as precedent of the U.S. Supreme Court worthy as treatment of precedent like any other.”

Kavanaugh also focused on Roe’s Supreme Court precedent status. 

“It is settled as a precedent of the Supreme Court, entitled the respect under principles of stare decisis,” he said. “The Supreme Court has recognized the right to abortion since the 1973 Roe v. Wade case. It has reaffirmed it many times.”

Crist said if elected as Governor, he will sign an executive order telling state agencies they cannot restrict or prevent women from making decisions over their bodies.

Justice Samuel Alito delivered the opinion of the Court. Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett joined. Justices Thomas and Kavanaugh filed concurring opinions. Justice John Roberts filed an opinion concurring in the judgement.

“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely- the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment,” the majority opinion said.

The ruling has now given states the authority to regulate abortions. 

“It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives,” the majority opinion said.

“The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the Supreme Court’s ruling Friday and said Florida will work to expand pro-life protections. 

“Florida will continue to defend its recently-enacted pro-life reforms against state court challenges, will work to expand pro-life protections, and will stand for life by promoting adoption, foster care and child welfare,” DeSantis said.

The Governor signed into law a 15 week abortion ban earlier this year. The abortion law faces challenges in the state court system. The Florida constitution recognizes a right to privacy, which could provide a hurdle for the law. 

A Florida judge heard arguments Monday on whether to grant an emergency temporary injunction to halt Florida’s 15 week abortion ban from going into effect Friday, July 1st. The judge has not made a decision yet.