Fact Check

Did RBG Call Impeachment 'Illegal BS'?

A routine review of content labeled satire.

Published Dec. 23, 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 19: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg speaks on stage during her induction into The National Museum Of American Jewish History's Only In America Gallery at National Museum of American Jewish History on December 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Claim:
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called the impeachment of President Donald Trump "illegal BS."

On Dec. 22, 2019, Taters Gonna Tate published an article positing that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had called the impeachment of President Donald Trump "illegal BS":

RGB Calls Impeachment ‘Illegal BS’

[...]

In an interview with DC newspaper, “The Washington Beguiler,” Ginsberg was straightforward and honest about what she thought:

“Yes, it’s true I am not a fan of President Trump. I find his presence in the White House to be an insult to America and I would love to see him taken out in chains.

"But that impeachment was a farce. The House Democrats went ahead with an inquiry and a vote with nothing. No evidence, no real charges, nothing to warrant the whole event. I’m very disappointed in them.

I hate to say it but that whole impeachment was illegal BS. If a case like that ever appeared in my courtroom, I’d have thrown it out immediately and scolded the prosecution for wasting everyone’s time. The Democrats should possibly face consequences for their meaningless disruption of government.”

This item was not a factual recounting of real-life events. The article originated with a website that describes its output as being humorous or satirical in nature, as follows:

Everything on this website is fiction. It is not a lie and it is not fake news because it is not real. If you believe that it is real, you should have your head examined. Any similarities between this site’s pure fantasy and actual people, places, and events are purely coincidental and all images should be considered altered and satirical. See above if you’re still having an issue with that satire thing.

For background, here is why we sometimes write about satire/humor.