The conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court, which has been running interference for ex-President Donald Trump during the past several years, is now slowly pondering Trump’s claim of “absolute Presidential immunity” regarding the many Federal crimes that he is alleged to have committed way back in 2020.
The idea of total immunity against prosecution, which is what Trump claims he has, is an absurd concept which the Founding Fathers wisely did not include in the U.S. Constitution. In fact, the lot of them detested the concept of authoritarian rule and took pains to make sure that their new nation would be governed by the “rule of law” that would apply to all citizens.
The idea that a President could commit any crime that he wanted without repercussion was idiotic and repulsive to these esteemed gentlemen 250 years ago. Now, in 2024, we have a politically-charged Supreme Court (three of the nine members were appointed to life terms by Trump) which is trying mightily to find some hidden language or rationale in the Constitution which would permit the nation’s leader to be an authoritarian mob boss accountable to no one.
The idea that total immunity from criminal prosecution would even allow a sitting President to assassinate a political rival was offered by one of Trump’s attorneys during the arguments before SCOTUS.
That is a scary thought, isn’t it?
Particularly if the Court agrees with the dangerous concept. It is reasonable to believe, based on Trump’s recent campaign rhetoric (he’s promised to “get even” with his political opponents if he is elected in November), that he would use this tool to exact revenge and ensure absolute power to the detriment of our Bill of Rights.
If absolute Presidential immunity is ruled to be Constitutional by SCOTUS, then President Biden enjoys it right now. Theoretically, Biden could have Trump assassinated before the election in November.
He could also have the conservative members of the Supreme Court assassinated, as well. In fact, Joe Biden might as well go ahead and have all the Republican Senators and Congressmen put down as well.
It would be like Michael Corleone doing away with all of the Godfather’s enemies in one fell swoop during his son’s baptism. Get rid of the troublemakers.
The idea is ridiculous, of course, because a good man and confirmed believer in democracy, which Biden is, would never countenance such heinous acts.
But Donald Trump?
The man has no moral compass, he thinks only of himself and how he can make more money, and has a reputation for brutal behavior with women, contractors, tenants, lenders, consumers, and business partners. He is presently fighting something like 90 criminal indictments in various courts throughout the land. Trump lost the 2020 election but attempted to engineer a coup to keep himself in the White House.
I believe that “total Presidential immunity” in the hands of someone like Donald Trump would be the death blow to our democratic form of government. The man would be uncontrollable. It would be like giving your 10-year-old child the car keys: what could possibly go wrong?
SCOTUS should take Donald Trump out of the equation. Pretend like he doesn’t exist and examine the idea of “total Presidential immunity” on its face… is it Constitutional, is it democratic, does it apply the “rule of law” to every citizen, including the President?
The idea of total Presidential immunity is preposterous, and the Supreme Court should so rule and do it quickly so that America doesn’t have to spend another minute worrying about such an anti-democratic, stupid idea.
And, then, SCOTUS should apologize for its part in this obscene charade.