They warn that this decision will enable the president to use his position “for evil ends.”
The historic 6-3 ruling essentially strikes down significant portions of the accusation against the former president, who was accused of plotting to reverse his electoral defeat in 2020.
The majority ruling was signed by six justices with conservative leanings, while the three liberals dissented, citing “fear for our democracy.”.
Similar warnings of a “dangerous precedent” were issued by President Joe Biden, and a legal expert stated that this was more than just “fear-mongering.”.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor led the liberals in outlining potential scenarios in which the idea of immunity might be applicable.
Gives the order to kill a political adversary using the Navy’s Seal Team 6? She penned a letter. unaffected.
plans a military takeover in order to maintain control? unaffected. accepts bribes in return for pardons? unaffected. All three are immune.
Justice Sotomayor noted that even if these terrifying scenarios never come to pass—which I sincerely hope they never do—the harm has already been done. “The President is now a king above the law in every use of official authority.
The two other liberal justices on the court, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan, joined Justice Sotomayor in dissent.
In a separate dissent, Justice Jackson stated that the majority’s decision “discards” the long-standing national ideal that no one is above the law, “breaking new and dangerous ground.”
