How could a justice of the Supreme Court be removed from office?

A justice of the Supreme Court can be removed from office through a process of impeachment. This process involves the House of Representatives bringing charges against the justice, similar to how other federal officials can be impeached. If the House votes to impeach, the case is then sent to the Senate, which conducts a trial. Removal requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate.

This method of removal is designed to ensure that justices, who have lifetime appointments, are held accountable for misconduct while maintaining an essential level of independence from political pressures. This mechanism reflects the checks and balances inherent in the U.S. constitutional framework, allowing the legislative branch to limit the powers of the judiciary.

Public votes, actions by the President, or decisions made solely by the Senate do not provide a legitimate process for removing a Supreme Court justice, therefore validating impeachment as the sole constitutional avenue for such an outcome.