(NationalUSNews.com) — The Supreme Court recently addressed former President Donald Trump’s ongoing election interference case, resulting in a decision that grants broad immunity from prosecution for “official” actions.
The decision resulted in widespread backlash from online commenters and Democratic legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), who plans to limit the decision’s precedent through a new bill. Schumer released a statement about the Supreme Court ruling, claiming that the United States Constitution allows members of Congress to pass legislation that amends or changes Supreme Court precedent.
Schumer said he plans to work alongside his fellow senators to introduce legislation overturning the Supreme Court immunity decision. According to Schumer, the Supreme Court decision serves too broad a purpose, as a sitting president could claim any action he took is “official,” and thus said action is precluded from criminal prosecution. Despite Schumer’s promise to pass legislation aimed at the precedent, the majority leader hasn’t discussed how his legislation would prevent a president from enjoying broad immunity. Other senators have weighed in on Schumer’s promised legislation, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), who seemingly disagrees with Schumer’s interpretation of the Supreme Court decision.
According to McConnell, the Supreme Court decision doesn’t preclude prosecution for a president’s criminal actions. McConnell said that the decision is a deterrent from prosecutors attempting to charge presidents for actions they disagree with rather than an attempt at protecting the chief executive from criminal consequences. McConnell claimed that influential Democrats like Schumer and President Joe Biden disagree with the decision as it prevents them from weaponizing the American justice system against their political opposition and that Schumer’s promised bill is an inappropriate response.
Despite McConnell’s criticism, Schumer plans to move forward with the legislation and a similar bill targeting the Supreme Court. Schumer has openly supported a new bill known as the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act, which, if passed, would create new ethical guidelines and requirements for sitting Supreme Court justices. The Supreme Court ethics bill would also allow citizens to file a complaint against a justice if they believe they’ve abused their power or violated ethical guidelines, a policy staunchly opposed by Republicans in both chambers of Congress.
Copyright 2024, NationalUSNews.com
