Biden reveals his plan to change the Supreme Court.
President Joe Biden has presented a much-anticipated proposal for reforms at the U.S. Supreme Court, urging Congress to implement term limits and an enforceable ethics code for the nine justices. Additionally, he is pushing for a constitutional amendment that would limit presidential immunity.
The White House has outlined Biden’s plan, although its chances of congressional approval seem slim with just 99 days remaining until the next election. Despite this, Democrats are hopeful that the proposal will resonate with voters as they navigate a closely contested election. Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic nominee, has endorsed Biden’s proposal, emphasizing the necessity for these changes to address the crisis of confidence currently facing the Supreme Court.
There is growing discontent among Democrats regarding the Supreme Court, which currently has a conservative majority. Recent decisions overturning long-standing precedents on topics such as abortion rights and federal regulatory powers have fueled frustration among liberals. Concerns about the impartiality of some conservative justices have further heightened the calls for reform.
In his op-ed in the Washington Post, Biden stressed the abnormality of the current situation and its detrimental impact on public trust in the court’s decisions, particularly those affecting personal freedoms. Harris echoed these sentiments, asserting that the proposed reforms aim to restore confidence in the court and uphold the principle that no one is above the law.
One key aspect of Biden’s proposal is the elimination of lifetime appointments to the court. He advocates for a system where a sitting president would nominate a justice every two years, serving an 18-year term. This approach aims to introduce more regular turnover in court membership and add predictability to the nomination process.
Additionally, Biden calls for the establishment of a court code of ethics requiring justices to disclose gifts, abstain from public political activities, and recuse themselves from cases involving conflicts of interest. He also urges Congress to pass a constitutional amendment overturning the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity, which granted broad immunity to former presidents.
Public opinion on the issue of term limits for Supreme Court justices is largely favorable, with a majority of Americans supporting the idea, as shown in a recent poll. Both conservative and liberal politicians have voiced support for term limits, emphasizing the need for justices to reflect the current societal values and norms.
Creating an enforcement mechanism for the court’s code of ethics could bring the justices more in line with federal judges, who are subject to a disciplinary system. However, implementing such a mechanism for the high court presents unique challenges, given the dynamics of the judicial system.
Critics, including former President Donald Trump, have decried court reform efforts as politically motivated attacks on the judiciary. Trump contends that the reforms are designed to interfere in the electoral process and undermine the independence of the courts. Nonetheless, Democrats argue that the changes are essential to address recent controversial decisions by the court.
Recent revelations about the conduct of some justices, including allegations of conflicts of interest and ethical lapses, have further fueled calls for reform. These concerns have underscored the need to restore public trust in the judiciary and ensure accountability among the justices.
The proposed reforms by Biden signal a significant shift in his stance on court reform, reflecting his growing concerns about the direction of the Supreme Court. As the debate over judicial reforms intensifies, the future of the court and its role in American democracy remain subjects of ongoing scrutiny and discussion.
