The Supreme Court’s disastrous decision in Trump v. United States manufactured a dangerous concept of presidential immunity.
John,
The Supreme Court’s disastrous decision in Trump v. United States manufactured a dangerous concept of presidential immunity. It upends hundreds of years of precedent and betrays a defining feature of our constitutional democracy: that all people, including the president, are equal in the eyes of the law. It leaves our country vulnerable to corrupt, lawless officials who abuse the power of their office and may now assert that power as grounds to evade prosecution. And it is joined by two Justices who should have recused themselves from hearing the case due to clear conflicts of interest.
Members of Congress are now taking action to secure our democracy in the wake of this ruling:
Rep. Joe Morelle has introduced a new constitutional amendment ensuring that no officer of the United States—including the president— is above the law. The amendment prevents U.S. officers from asserting immunity on the grounds that the alleged criminal act was within the constitutional authority of their office or related to their official duties. It also confirms that a President has no constitutional authority to pardon himself or herself.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced the No Kings Act, reinforcing that no president, vice president, or anyone who formerly held either position is immune from criminal prosecution for violating the laws of the United States unless Congress expressly grants such immunity.
These measures should not be necessary. But because they are, it is imperative that Congress, the states, and the people of this country act swiftly to pass them, affirm the principles of equality before the law that are a bedrock of our democracy, and close the door to authoritarianism that the Supreme Court has opened.
