Staff Reports
When Joe Biden recently took to the op-ed page of the Washington Post to unveil his so-called “reform” plan for the Supreme Court, it resembled more of a last-ditch attempt to regain relevance than a serious policy proposal. The timing of this announcement is telling; it follows the Supreme Court’s well-deserved rebuke of Biden’s attempts to operate the Executive Branch unilaterally and punish political opponents through questionable legal maneuvers. With the nation now accustomed to viewing the Court as a bulwark against the authoritarian tendencies of the current administration, it’s no wonder Biden is scrambling to flex what little influence he has left.
The announcement was preceded by a series of alarming whispers from the left, indicating just how desperate Biden’s camp has become in light of a robust 6-3 conservative majority on the Court. This majority has proven instrumental in safeguarding constitutional liberties against the whims of Biden and his leftist supporters who have demonstrated a concerning eagerness to reshape American society through executive fiat. With another Trump presidency looking likely, this conservative stronghold could last for many years to come — a reality that clearly has the Democrats rattled.
How can a #fakePOTUS unable to attend the management of the USA propose such a constitutional reform ?
This is a direct attack to the nº1 Constitution body.#bidenresign
Biden Proposes Plan to Reform Supreme Court https://t.co/V9VjWehagS via @epochtimes— Marc Mazzilli (@Marc_OTSS) July 29, 2024
Biden’s plan revolves around three components: a proposed amendment that claims to prohibits ex-presidents from criminal immunity, term limits for justices, and a supposedly new Supreme Court Code of Conduct. Each of these elements is riddled with irony and far-fetched ideas. The first item is little more than a peace offering to a base still seething over the former president’s ability to avoid prosecution for alleged misdeeds. This amendment could backfire spectacularly, as it raises questions about removing immunity for executive actions. The result of such a move would mean that various officials in the Executive Branch — including ones with a questionable track record themselves — could be subjected to the same public scrutiny and legal action that they wish to impose on former presidents.
Moving on to the idea of term limits, Biden’s logic is laughable. He argues that having such limits could reduce the chances of any single presidency dramatically altering the Court. However, this oversimplifies the issue. In reality, a constitutional amendment would require an excruciatingly lengthy approval process that appears to be as likely to succeed as Biden’s approval ratings. The fantasy here is that a president would only get to appoint a justice every two years for an 18-year term — in practice, it’s highly likely several appointments would occur in shorter succession based on the inevitable retirements and health incidents that befall justices. Instead of a calm, predictable transition, it could result in more political upheaval surrounding nominations, which is precisely what Biden’s proposal claims to avoid.
Finally, the introduction of a Supreme Court Code of Conduct looks suspiciously like a vehicle for legal harassment aimed at justices whose decisions do not align with the left-wing agenda. Leftist activists have already attacked justices for personal actions unrelated to their judicial responsibilities, proving that this code would serve as a tool for those eager to wield influence over the independent judiciary. There is no evidence that the Court is in dire need of such oversight, but rather a clear demonstration of how radical groups seek to control it more tightly.
Biden’s proposal is little more than an embarrassing spectacle, lacking any genuine support from the American public or Congress. The man is a political shadow of his former self, pushing forth these laughable reforms in a desperate bid to cling to some semblance of authority. Using the pages of a liberal publication to scream for attention is a rather fitting metaphor for his presidency — and it’s safe to say, nobody is paying attention anymore.
