The Pennsylvania state lawmakers’ attempt to impeach Philadelphia’s progressive prosecutor, Larry Krasner, was found to be improper by the state’s highest court. The lawmakers were criticized for trying to extend the impeachment process over two different legislative sessions. The decision from the highest court overturned a previous ruling in a lawsuit filed by Krasner. The impeachment by the state House in November 2022, a year after Krasner’s reelection to a second term, was deemed invalid due to the procedural issues.

Republican lawmakers who spearheaded the impeachment argued that Krasner, a Democrat, failed to prosecute certain minor crimes, questioned his bail policies, and criticized the management of his office. The impeachment resolution passed mostly along party lines, with Krasner dismissing the claims as politically motivated attacks on his progressive policies. Following the lower court’s split ruling which partially favored Krasner, the state Supreme Court intervened.

In its ruling, the state Supreme Court declared the articles of impeachment against Krasner as null and void once the legislative session ended where they were initiated. The court emphasized that subsequent sessions of the General Assembly cannot continue proceedings started by a previous session. Chief Justice Debra Todd, in her opinion, stated, “The Constitution simply does not textually permit the House and the Senate of a subsequent session of the General Assembly to take any further action on matters which the House or Senate of a prior session of the General Assembly may have begun, but not finished during that session.”

After the ruling, Krasner’s office remained silent, declining to comment immediately on the decision. Meanwhile, Jason Gottesman, a spokesman for the House Republicans, did not indicate whether the GOP caucus would pursue the impeachment issue again in the future. The impeachment attempt and subsequent legal battles have showcased the political tensions surrounding Krasner’s tenure as Philadelphia’s District Attorney.