No Cardinals were removed by St John Paul II or Pope Benedict XVI .
What is more, Pope Francis wouldn't dare 'remove' Cardinal Burke or any of the other Cardinals who subscribed to the 'letter'. Remember that there are many more Cardinals sympathetic towards the four Cardinals. Why do you think that Pope Francis refused to meet with the College prior to the Consistery? He knew he was going to be asked the same questions.
From now on he will be regarded as  a 'lame-duck' Pope.