Summary
The U.S. Supreme Court’s July ruling in Trump v United States granted Donald Trump immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken in his official capacity changes fundamentally the dynamics of the Oval Office. This decision shields a sitting president from legal accountability for official acts, enabling unlawful behavior without consequence.
Critics, including Michael Waldman of the Brennan Center for Justice, argue that this ruling provides a “how-to guide” for presidential lawbreaking.
The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority, solidified by Trump’s three appointees, has previously overturned Roe v. Wade, and now, with this immunity ruling, further consolidates presidential power. If Trump is re-elected, this immunity could embolden him to pursue aggressive policies without fear of legal repercussions, raising concerns about unchecked executive authority and the erosion of democratic checks and balances.
So why won’t Biden use this power to do anything? He’s not even running for reelection so he doesn’t have anything to lose.
Because the power in question is the ability to nominate judges; and if Biden were to push through with any form of reform the GOP would make such a meal of it in the media that it would all but guarantee a Trump victory.
Best chance would be to keep mum, and hope that Kamala scrapes out a decisive victory and push through reforms as a lame duck president.
I thought the power in question was immunity from prosecution for “official acts”.