Monday, July 29, 2024

QOTD: Reform The Supreme Court

 


In an editorial opinion this morning in the Washington Post, President Biden laid out his proposal to reform the Supreme Court after a series of extreme opinions signaled the need for change. The opening paragraphs

"This nation was founded on a simple yet profound principle: No one is above the law. Not the president of the United States. Not a justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. No one.

But the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision on July 1 to grant presidents broad immunity from prosecution for crimes they commit in office means there are virtually no limits on what a president can do. The only limits will be those that are self-imposed by the person occupying the Oval Office.

If a future president incites a violent mob to storm the Capitol and stop the peaceful transfer of power — like we saw on Jan. 6, 2021 — there may be no legal consequences.

And that’s only the beginning."

The President goes on to list three reforms: a Constitutional amendment to prevent Presidents from claiming criminal immunity for official acts, 18-year term limits on Supreme Court justices, and a binding code of conduct (ed.- let's call it the Clarence Thomas Code) to help eliminate financial or other conflicts of interest. Reforms like these require a public movement of support, and elected officials who will act on the reforms. A President Kamala Harris and a Dem Senate and House will help push them through, a MAGA one will not. That's something else on the ballot in November.