A leading House Democrat has unveiled a proposal to amend the Constitution, aiming to overturn the Supreme Court's recent decision on presidential immunity.
AP News reported that the move, spearheaded by Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-NY), aims to ensure that presidents can be held accountable for actions taken while in office. Ironically, the Supreme Court already outlined how presidents are held to account but Democrats clearly only read headlines.
He stressed the need for a constitutional amendment to negate the Supreme Court's ruling that grants broad immunity to presidents.
This controversial decision was delivered earlier this week by the court's conservative majority. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, stated that presidents are shielded from criminal prosecution for actions taken within their official duties.
The ruling has significant implications for ongoing Justice Department cases against Donald Trump. This has enraged Democrats who have spent the past couple of years abusing the justice system to take Trump down.
The court's liberal justices strongly dissented, warning that the decision poses a threat to democracy. They argued that it places the president above the law.
Rep. Morelle, serving as the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, was quick to respond. He emphasized that the former president must be accountable for his decisions.
“This amendment will do what SCOTUS failed to do — prioritize our democracy,” Morelle stated.
The constitutional amendment process is known for its complexity. It requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate and ratification by three-fourths of the states.
Morelle believes this is the most reliable way to ensure presidents face consequences. He urged his colleagues to support his resolution to protect democracy.
“The former president must be held accountable for his decisions. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and stand with me on the front line to protect our democracy,” Morelle added.
Trump’s legal team has already responded to the ruling by seeking delays in other legal matters. For instance, they requested a delay in sentencing for an unrelated hush money case in New York state court. The judge agreed to delay sentencing until the fall.
As a result, federal cases against Trump will likely remain unresolved before the November election. This prolongs the period during which Trump operates legally unchallenged for official actions during his presidency.
In addition to pushing for the constitutional amendment, Democratic lawmakers are considering further steps. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced her intention to file articles of impeachment against the justices responsible for the ruling.
“It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture. I intend on filing articles of impeachment upon our return,” Ocasio-Cortez declared.
Historically, only 27 amendments have been added to the U.S. Constitution. This underscores the difficulty of Morelle's proposed path.
Nonetheless, Congress holds the power to initiate the amendment process. Should Morelle's resolution gain the necessary support in Congress, it will move to the states for ratification.
Morelle emphasized the need to set clear limits on presidential powers and ensure the law applies equally to all citizens.
“This amendment will guarantee that no public officer of the United States — including the president — is able to evade the accountability that any other American would face for violating our laws,” Morelle stated.
At the heart of Morelle’s proposal is a fundamental principle: presidents are citizens, not monarchs. The amendment aims to prevent any president from acting with impunity.
“Presidents are citizens, not tyrants,” Morelle asserted.
By advocating for this constitutional amendment, Morelle seeks to rectify what he views as a misstep by the Supreme Court.
In summary, Rep. Joseph Morelle of New York is leading an effort to propose a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity.
The amendment aims to ensure presidents can be held accountable for their actions. This move follows significant debate and dissent regarding the court's decision, which has implications for ongoing cases against Donald Trump.
The amendment process itself poses significant challenges, requiring strong support in Congress and the states. Rep. Morelle, along with other Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, emphasizes the critical need to uphold democratic principles and safeguard the rule of law in the United States.
