The White House is drawing attention to significant public support for President Joe Biden's proposed reforms to the Supreme Court, according to a recent poll.
The Washington Times reported that the "reforms," which include implementing a code of conduct, establishing 18-year term limits for justices, and introducing a constitutional amendment to ensure no president is above the law, have garnered widespread approval from the American public.
However, when these proposals are explicitly associated with Biden, support tends to decline, with strong opposition emerging among Republican voters.
Biden announced the changes to the Supreme Court in reaction to the conservative majority's decisions that Democrats just can't respect and now they want to undermine the entire institution.
The proposed changes were prompted by a controversial Supreme Court ruling that granted former President Donald Trump immunity from prosecution for actions taken during his presidency. The ruling, handed down by the court’s 6-3 conservative majority, has sparked widespread debate and intensified calls for judicial reforms.
The USA Today-Ipsos poll, which surveyed 1,024 adults from August 2-4, found that 76% of respondents support the introduction of a code of conduct for Supreme Court justices.
Additionally, 63% favor an 18-year term limit for justices, and 70% support a constitutional amendment to ensure that no president is above the law. These findings suggest a strong public appetite for reforming the Supreme Court, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding the institution.
However, the poll also indicates a significant drop in support when these proposals are directly linked to President Biden. While the reforms themselves are popular, the association with Biden appears to polarize public opinion, particularly along party lines.
Among Republican voters, 58% perceive the proposed term limits and code of ethics as a "major threat to democracy." This contrasts sharply with Democratic voters, only 10% of whom share this view.
The proposed reforms face an uncertain future in a deeply divided Congress, where bipartisan support will be crucial for any constitutional changes. With just 88 days remaining until the November election, the Biden administration is working to capitalize on public frustration with the Supreme Court, particularly among Democrats and independents who are dissatisfied with the court's conservative leanings.
Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly backed Biden's proposals, emphasizing the need for reforms that reflect the values of the American people. The administration’s strategy appears to focus on highlighting the Supreme Court's controversial decisions and the ethical concerns surrounding some of its justices, including Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito.
Both justices have faced accusations of unethical behavior, including accepting luxury trips from billionaires and failing to recuse themselves from cases where they had potential conflicts of interest.
Biden’s push for Supreme Court reform is not entirely new. The left has been vocal in its criticism of the court since it overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, a landmark decision that had protected abortion rights for nearly five decades. The recent rulings and the ethical concerns surrounding some justices have only intensified calls for change.
The proposed constitutional amendment, which seeks to ensure that no president is above the law, directly challenges the Supreme Court's July 1 ruling that presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken under their core presidential functions.
The case, brought by Trump in response to an election fraud investigation by special counsel Jack Smith, has become a focal point in the broader debate over the limits of presidential power and the role of the judiciary in holding elected officials accountable.
As the November election approaches, Biden and Harris are likely to continue using the proposed Supreme Court reforms as a rallying point for their campaign.
The administration’s efforts to link the court’s decisions to broader issues of justice and democracy may resonate with voters who are dissatisfied with the current state of the judiciary. However, the strong opposition from Republican voters suggests that the issue could also deepen partisan divides and become a flashpoint in the upcoming election.
While the poll indicates that a majority of Americans support the proposed reforms, the challenge for the Biden administration will be navigating the complex political landscape and securing enough support in Congress to enact meaningful change.
With the clock ticking down to the November election, the White House faces a narrow window of opportunity to push through these reforms and reshape the future of the Supreme Court.
In conclusion, President Biden’s proposed reforms to the Supreme Court have garnered substantial public support, as evidenced by the recent USA Today-Ipsos poll.
However, the association with Biden himself appears to polarize opinion, particularly among Republican voters.
As the Biden administration continues to advocate for these changes, the path forward remains uncertain, with significant opposition in Congress and the broader electorate. The upcoming election will likely play a critical role in determining the fate of these proposed reforms and the future of the Supreme Court.
