"A King Above the Law": Supreme Court Rules Presidents Have Broad Immunity from Prosecution

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Published 2024-07-02
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In a historic decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled on Monday that presidents have broad immunity from prosecution. The 6-3 ruling by the court's right-wing majority — including all three justices appointed by Trump — was issued on the final day of the Supreme Court's term and just four months ahead of November's presidential election. It will further delay Trump's criminal trial for leading the January 6 insurrection. The ruling upends more than two centuries of legal precedent, for the first time shielding U.S. presidents from criminal accountability. "In one fell swoop, this court has essentially left the American people to the whims of the president of the United States — any president of the United States, but particularly Mr. Trump," says Donald Sherman, executive director and chief counsel of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW. We also speak with Lisa Graves, executive director of the watchdog group True North Research, who says the Supreme Court's conservative wing has left the country "unmoored from the rule of law" by adopting such an expansive view of presidential power. "This decision is the most reckless and dangerous decision ever issued by the U.S. Supreme Court," says Graves.

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All Comments (21)
  • Every Supreme Court Justice should be completely neutral.Our whole government should be completely neutral
  • @swishpolitics
    Surely we already knew this? Where was the prosecution of George W Bush?
  • Question: Does the SCOTUS ruling therefore allow the current president to incarcerate the former president as a risk to national security?
  • @mich_class
    Funny ppl. Just put your political opponents in jail. That is what these ppl want.
  • @meznehemia
    Clear the Court, Joe. You're 100% immune because it's an official act 😂 While you're at it, pack it 😂
  • @71suns
    PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS EVERY RIGHT WITH IMMUNITY TO DO AS HE LIKES UNDER OFFICIAL ACTS. DO IT JOE. ADD FIVE SEATS TO THE SUPREME COURT. ORDER SEAL TEAM 6 TO ARREST YOUR POLITICAL RIVAL AND HOLD HIM IN SOLIDARITY CONFINEMENT as someone who is a threat to our nation and our Constitution. Do it Joe.
  • It's sad and quite frankly scary what's happening in this country. The reality is.....We're headed towards very dark times!
  • @bpalpha
    No one is asking the most pertinent question, why? Why would a seated US president need to violate the laws they are SWORN to uphold?!
  • @reachtrita
    NOOOO, the President must be the ONE who is prime example of a good citizen who abides by the law!
  • @LetsCook64
    "If the band your in starts singing different tunes, I'll meet you on the dark side of the moon".
  • @habsa8855
    It is against the nation's constitution. No one is above the law.
  • @7018bluegrass
    A President Must be Accountable or dire consequences could result. The Wrong Person in the Presidential Position could potentially Destroy America from within!
  • @DMNC222
    What the hell is happening to our government being “OF THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE “???
  • @hawna123
    Maybe politicians should not speak on this 😂 cough cough Joe Biden
  • One day, Amy, could you tell us how much the American people spent in taxes on Trump’s trials?
  • @derekl2882
    Let's not forget the irony that Trump wanted to lock up Hilary over use of a private email server
  • PLANETARY LEVEL THREAT, EVERYONE. THE WORLD IS GONNA BE DRAGGED INTO THIS MESS, TOO.