Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a bill called the “No Kings Act” in response to the Supreme Court ruling that former President Donald Trump has some immunity for aspects of his presidential conduct. The legislation, which has more than two dozen Democratic signers, aims to ensure that neither sitting nor former presidents and vice presidents are entitled to immunity from prosecution for alleged crimes. Schumer argued that the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Trump’s immunity was “disastrous” and that it made presidents “kings above the law.”
The bill would make it clear that Congress, not the Supreme Court, has the power to determine who federal criminal laws may be applied to. Despite Schumer’s efforts, the bill faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled House, where allies of Trump hold power. President Joe Biden has also called for a constitutional amendment to prevent immunity for crimes committed by former presidents while in office, but Democrats do not have the supermajority needed to ratify such an amendment.
House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the Supreme Court’s ruling as a victory for former President Trump and future presidents, arguing that presidents are entitled to immunity for their official acts due to the unique power and position of the presidency. Johnson criticized Biden’s Department of Justice as “weaponized” and supported the court’s decision as being in line with the Constitution and common sense. Despite the pushback from Democrats, the issue of presidential immunity remains contentious and unresolved.
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