Democratic lawmakers described the Supreme Court as “rogue” and “consumed by a corruption” after it ruled on Monday that presidents are immune from actions taken within their constitutional authority.
The nation’s highest court ruled 6-3 that presidents can only be prosecuted for unofficial actions, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. The decision essentially delayed former President Donald Trump’s election interference case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, which will return to a lower court.
“Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of Presidential power entitles a former President to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority,” the court determined. “And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.”
Democrats described the Supreme Court ruling as a threat to democracy that empowers potentially authoritarian presidents.
“Today, the Supreme Court has gone rogue with its decision, violating the foundational American principle that no one is above the law,” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) tweeted. “The former president’s claim of total presidential immunity is an insult to the vision of our founders, who declared independence from a King.”
“The Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted. “Today’s ruling represents an assault on American democracy. It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture. I intend on filing articles of impeachment upon our return.”
“The Supreme Court can no longer be trusted to uphold the Constitution,” Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) tweeted. “It’s a scary day for American democracy.”
Republican lawmakers and right-leaning activists countered that the Supreme Court decision allows presidents to conduct executive duties.
“Without immunity, the President of the United States is unable to properly serve the American people and defend our nation,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) tweeted.
Marc Thiessen, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, described the decision as a protection against politically fueled prosecutions.
“The Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity is actually a *check* on executive power,” he tweeted. “The president is immune from *criminal* prosecution for official acts, but he is not immune from impeachment. Congress can sit in judgment of his official acts.”
“The House impeached President Trump for his actions on January 6. He was tried and acquitted in the US Senate. The Justice Department is now seeking to effectively retry him in the courts. In so doing, they are effectively abrogating the power of Congress. This decision puts a check on their ability to do so,” he continued.