This is a BFD. The GOP-controlled legislature dragged its feet forvmonths on impeaching these justices to prevent their replacement by voters via special elections this fall. Missing today's deadline lets Republican Gov. Jim Justice appoint their replacements.
The reports revealing malfeasance by WV state Supreme Court justices have been out for months. But instead of moving forward with impeachment, Republicans sat on their hands until LAST WEEK. Why? huffingtonpost.com/entry/west-vir…
If WV Supreme Court justices had been successfully impeached by tonight's deadline, voters would get to elect new justices this fall. huffingtonpost.com/entry/west-vir…
But when the GOP-controlled legislature fails to impeach them by midnight tonight, WV's Republican governor will get to appoint their replacements. Those appointees would serve through 2020. huffingtonpost.com/entry/west-vir…
Essentially, WV Republicans have seized on the malfeasance of its state Supreme Court to execute a coup. Instead of voters electing their justices, Republicans get to install their own with zero public input. huffingtonpost.com/entry/west-vir…
In an unexpected twist, one of the embattled justices has just resigned. This move ensures that voters, not politicians, will select her replacement. wvgazettemail.com/news/cops_and_…
Any story about the West Virginia GOP's impeachment of state Supreme Court justices that fails to mention Republicans' strategic foot-dragging (a Democrat first proposed impeachment back in February) isn't fully reported.
These impeachments aren't just about judicial corruption. This is about West Virginia Republicans seizing on an opportunity to reshape an entire branch of government to serve their politics by gaming the state's special election deadlines.
Here's everything you need to know about the West Virginia GOP's Supreme Court impeachment shenanigans. dailykos.com/story/2018/8/1…
