Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 5:48 p.m
18 readings
US President Joe Biden is planning a change to the US constitution that will directly affect his rival, Donald Trump. The Democrat wants to eliminate the general immunity of the presidents and also plans to reform the Supreme Court, an institution with a disapproval rate of almost 60%.
The Supreme Court cuts big issues in American society, for example the right to abortion, the regulation of firearms, or the ability of federal agencies to regulate subjects such as the environment. The conservative majority obtained by the appointment of three judges by Donald Trump is viewed poorly by 58% of Americans.
Measures considered by Joe Biden include introducing a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity granting broad criminal immunity to the president, considered a victory for Donald Trump. The former US president is involved in numerous lawsuits and investigations, most of which include his attempts to influence the US election that Joe Biden was elected president.
Donald Trump is also believed to have instigated the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2020, in which his supporters forced their way into the building to overturn the election results.
But such changes require the approval of Congress – an almost impossible task given that the House of Representatives is currently majority conservative.
The New York Times (NYT) writes that President Joe Biden, who has long resisted calls to reform the Supreme Court, may announce the outcome of those deliberations in the coming weeks, but that it is not immediately clear whether that is part of his agenda in view of the November elections.
Donald Trump appointed three judges – in his single term (2017-2021).
Six of the nine Supreme Court justices are currently conservative, which has led to a series of defeats for Joe Biden and the Democratic camp.
The court struck down the federal right to abortion in 2022, for example.
The Supreme Court has been mired in a series of ethics scandals.
A flag from the time of the War of Independence of the United States – which has become a symbol of support for Donald Trump – was seen at the home of conservative judge Samuel Alito.
The flag was carried by supporters of the former president during the storming of the Capitol, in Washington, on January 6, 2021.
Justice Clarence Thomas reviewed his financial statements following revelations that vacations and private jet travel were paid for by a wealthy conservative political donor.
The Supreme Court is increasingly seen as a partisan institution.
Approximately 58% of Americans disapprove of the way he performs his duties, according to a poll conducted by the Gallup Institute.
Source: ziare.com