The ruling that granted criminal immunity to presidents has sparked harsh criticism, particularly from within the court itself. Justice Sonia Sotomayor expressed in a minority opinion that the decision undermines the principle that no man is above the law, turning the president into a king above the law. She warned of the consequences for democracy and government functionality. Justice Katanji Brown Jackson echoed these concerns, emphasizing the dangers posed by the ruling.
President Biden also condemned the Supreme Court’s decision, emphasizing that no one, not even the president, is above the law. He expressed concern over the unlimited power that the ruling grants to the president, calling it a dangerous precedent. Members of the Democratic Party have vowed to take action in response to the ruling, with some advocating for impeachment of judges and increased oversight of the Supreme Court.
In contrast, the Republican Party welcomed the ruling, with former President Trump hailing it as a victory for democracy and the constitution. Republican lawmakers supported the decision, with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives praising it as a win for President Trump. The ruling itself clarified that presidents are immune for official acts during their term but not for unofficial acts, leaving it to lower courts to determine which actions are eligible for immunity.
The decision is expected to delay Trump’s trial in the 2020 election bias case and make it more challenging to prosecute him in other cases. Hours after the ruling, Trump requested a postponement of his sentencing in the Stormy Daniels hush money case, citing the Supreme Court’s decision as potentially applicable. The ruling has stirred debate and raised concerns about the implications for democracy and the rule of law in the United States.