Supreme Court Shields Trump: SCOTUS Gives Trump Presidential Immunity. Good Night Democracy…
The U.S. Supreme Court heard Donald Trump’s immunity claim and agreed with him – and it’s sending shockwaves through the legal and political landscape. In a landmark 6-3 ruling, the Court has established for the first time that former presidents enjoy certain immunities from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office. Let’s break down this complex decision and explore its far-reaching implications.
I guess the good news is Joe can go on an intense assassination spree now and not worry about it.
— Dean Blundell🇨🇦 (@ItsDeanBlundell) July 1, 2024
The Ruling Explained
The Supreme Court’s decision, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, outlines three categories of presidential conduct and their corresponding levels of immunity:
1. Absolute immunity: Applies to actions within a president’s “core constitutional powers.”
2. Presumptive immunity: This covers other official acts the president performs.
3. No immunity: This applies to unofficial acts.
In simpler terms, the Court says that presidents cannot be prosecuted for actions central to their constitutional duties. For other official acts, they are presumed to be immune, but this can potentially be challenged. However, any actions taken outside their official capacity can be held accountable like any other citizen[1][2].
The Supreme Court rules 6-3 your favorite President, Donald Trump, is immune from criminal prosecution when it comes to constitutional powers. A huge win for not only me but for future Presidents who must have full Presidential #Immunity!
pic.twitter.com/2ca4qqAUqg— Donald J. Trump (Parody) (@realDonParody) July 1, 2024
What This Means for Trump’s Legal Troubles
This ruling has significant implications for the federal case against Trump regarding his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The Court has sent the case back to the lower courts, instructing them to determine which of Trump’s actions fall under official duties and which do not[2]. This process will likely cause substantial delays in the trial, potentially pushing it beyond the 2024 election[3].
If Trump wins the 2024 election, he could use his presidential powers to dismiss the federal cases against him or even attempt to pardon himself[2]. This scenario underscores the far-reaching consequences of the Court’s decision.
A Hypothetical Scenario for Biden: He Can Start Killing Political Opponents Now!
To illustrate the potential implications of this ruling, let’s consider a hypothetical scenario involving President Biden in the final days of his presidency:
Imagine that Biden, facing a hostile Congress and fearing the reversal of his key policies, decides to take extreme measures. He could, theoretically, issue a series of executive orders that dramatically expand federal power, knowing that he would be immune from prosecution for these “official acts.” For instance, he might order the military to enforce climate change policies or direct federal agencies to ignore certain laws he disagrees with. Under the Court’s ruling, Biden could claim immunity for these actions, arguing they were part of his official duties as president.
If he wants to, he can claim national security around the stolen documents case, nuke Mar-a-Lago during one of Trump’s fundraisers, and go for ice cream afterward.
The Chilling Effect on Democracy
The Supreme Court’s decision has raised serious concerns about its impact on democratic principles and the rule of law. In her dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the ruling creates a “law-free zone” around the presidency, potentially shielding former presidents from accountability for grave abuses of power[3].
🚨The Supreme Court rules that President Trump has "absolute immunity" from criminal prosecution for all "official acts" he took while in office. The vote is 6–3 with all three liberals dissenting. https://t.co/ovLYlcsF4s
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) July 1, 2024
Sotomayor, joined by Kagan and Jackson, closes: "With fear for our democracy, I dissent." https://t.co/ovLYlcsF4s pic.twitter.com/kJDE5ZjMzA
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) July 1, 2024
Justice Sotomayor's dissent is one of the most terrified and terrifying pieces of judicial writing I've ever encountered—she lists the criminal acts that presidents can now take with immunity and says "the president is now a king above the law." https://t.co/ovLYlcsF4s pic.twitter.com/6mx4nP0SHE
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) July 1, 2024
This decision could embolden future presidents to push the boundaries of their authority, knowing they may be protected from criminal consequences. It also raises questions about the balance of power between the branches of government and the ability to check presidential overreach.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity is a watershed moment in American jurisprudence. While it clarifies the legal protections afforded to former presidents, it also opens up new questions and potential vulnerabilities in the democratic system. As the case returns to the lower courts and the 2024 election approaches, the full impact of this decision on Trump’s legal proceedings and the broader implications for presidential power will continue to unfold. This ruling is a stark reminder of the ongoing tension between executive authority and accountability in American democracy and why appointing religious extremists to America’s top court was a fucking terrible idea.
Sources:
[1] https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf
[2] https://www.npr.org/2024/07/01/nx-s1-5002157/supreme-court-trump-immunity
[3] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-trump-immunity-decision-opinion/
[4] https://whyy.org/articles/supreme-court-trump-immunity-decision/
[9] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/supreme-court-trumps-immunity-case-goes-back-to-lower-court
[10] https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-immunity-supreme-court-decision-07-01-24/index.html
[12] https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-supreme-court-immunity-1.7251423
Dean Blundell
Dean Blundell is a Canadian radio personality. Best known as a longtime morning host on CFNY-FM (The Edge) in Toronto, Ontario. In 2015 he was named the new morning host on sports radio station CJCL (Sportsnet 590 The Fan). Dean started his career in radio in 2001 and for nearly 20 years been entertaining the radio audience. Dean’s newest venture is the launch of his site and podcast which is gaining tremendous momentum across North America.
