President Joe Biden has announced his support for three key reforms: term limits for Supreme Court justices, a constitutional amendment denying immunity to the president for crimes committed while in office, and a binding ethics code for Supreme Court justices. These ideas were detailed in a recent op-ed in The Washington Post. While these proposals have potential benefits, the lack of specific details on implementation, particularly regarding term limits which would require a constitutional amendment, raises questions.
President Biden’s announcement comes at a time when the Supreme Court’s approval rating is low, with only about 36% of the public approving of its performance. The focus on reforming the Court may be politically advantageous, especially as the proposals put forth, such as term limits, are generally popular among the public.
While criticism of the Court exists, there are also positive rulings from the conservative majority. However, public perception of the Court is more negative than that of some critics, which could drive momentum for reform.
Although the likelihood of enacting these reforms during Biden’s term is slim, the endorsement from both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris could pave the way for future implementation. The proposals, if eventually enacted, could have a lasting impact on the functioning of the Supreme Court.
President Biden’s proposal for a constitutional amendment to strip presidential immunity for crimes committed while in office aligns with the belief that no one, not even the president, is above the law. The recent Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. United States has raised concerns about the extent of presidential immunity, making the need for such an amendment apparent.
Term limits for Supreme Court justices, as proposed by President Biden, aim to bring regularity to the Court’s membership and prevent any single presidency from drastically altering its composition. While the idea of 18-year term limits has support, the implementation through a constitutional amendment poses challenges, especially in addressing current justices.
President Biden’s call for a binding ethics code for Supreme Court justices seeks to strengthen accountability and transparency within the Court. Requiring justices to disclose gifts, refrain from political activity, and recuse themselves from cases with conflicts of interest are steps towards maintaining judicial integrity. However, the enforcement and penalties for violating this code remain crucial details that need clarification.
In conclusion, while President Biden’s reform proposals for the Supreme Court hold promise, the lack of specific details and the constitutional hurdles present challenges to their implementation. The endorsement of these ideas by Democratic leaders may increase the likelihood of future reforms, but the road ahead remains uncertain.