Democratic Representative Joseph Morelle from New York is spearheading a move in the House to introduce a constitutional amendment in reaction to the recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. He aims to overturn the decision and ensure that no president is considered above the law. Morelle, the leading Democrat on the House Administration Committee, is planning to file the resolution to initiate what can be a complex amendment process.
According to Morelle, the amendment will address what the Supreme Court did not do, which is to prioritize democracy. He emphasized the need for accountability for former President Donald Trump and urged his colleagues to support the amendment to protect democracy.
This initiative is seen as a significant legislative response following the recent decision by the court’s conservative majority, which was met with disapproval from the liberal justices. The ruling, which grants broad immunity to presidents from criminal prosecution for actions taken in their official capacity, has raised concerns, especially as Trump eyes a return to the White House.
The decision by Chief Justice John Roberts has implications for ongoing legal cases involving Trump, such as those related to the 2020 election. Despite celebrations by Trump and his supporters, efforts to delay sentencing in a separate case have been successful, possibly prolonging the legal process until after the upcoming election.
Although the path to a constitutional amendment is lengthy and challenging, supporters believe it is the most effective way to ensure that presidents can face consequences for their actions. Morelle emphasized that the amendment aims to prevent public officials, including the president, from evading accountability for violating laws.
In response to the ruling, another Democrat, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, expressed intentions to file articles of impeachment against the justices. She views the decision as a threat to American democracy, emphasizing the role of Congress in defending the nation.
The constitutional amendment process requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states. Given the current political landscape, achieving such consensus may be challenging, as seen in the history of U.S. constitutional amendments.
