Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) on Sunday called for the state to impeach the judge who struck down Arkansas’ same-sex marriage ban on Friday, according to The Hill.
“The Governor should call a special session of the legislature and impeach the judge and affirm the people’s will. If the people wish to allow same sex marriage, they can put that matter on the ballot and vote for it,” Huckabee said in a statement from his political action committee, Huck PAC.
Huckabee signed the same-sex marriage ban into law as governor in 1997. In his Sunday statement, Huckabee highlighted that the bill was co-sponsored by a Democrat and passed “overwhelmingly” by both chambers. Huckabee criticized Judge Chris Piazza for his “massacre of the law and the will of the people.”
“Judge Chris Piazza, a circuit court judge in my home state of Arkansas, decided that he is singularly more powerful than the 135 elected legislators of the state, the elected Governor, and 75% of the voters of the state. Apparently he mistook his black robe for a cape and declared himself to be ‘SUPER LAWMAKER!'” Huckabee wrote. “The dangerous precedent of elected officials allowing one single member of the judicial branch to become Lord God of law is dangerous and unconstitutional.”
The former governor specifically criticized Piazza for issuing the ruling at the close of business, “cowardly making it impossible for the attorney general or other attorneys to file for an immediate stay.”
Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel asked Piazza to stay the ruling and will also appeal the decision, sending the case to the Arkansas Supreme Court. However, Arkansas county clerks have already begun issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
