Biden calls for Supreme Court term limits and ethics rules

President Joe Biden has recently announced a comprehensive plan aimed at reforming the Supreme Court, which he believes is necessary to restore public trust and accountability among its justices. The Supreme Court, which consists of nine justices, has a significant conservative majority, with six of the justices leaning towards conservative ideologies. This has led to the court becoming a focal point of political contention, especially as its decisions impact critical issues such as abortion rights and environmental regulations. Mr. Biden's proposal includes establishing term limits for justices and creating a new code of ethics that would require justices to disclose any gifts they receive and refrain from engaging in overt political activities. He argues that the current system, where justices serve for life, is outdated and contributes to a lack of accountability. In his view, limiting the term of justices to 18 years, with new appointments every two years by sitting presidents, would help to make the court more representative of the American populace and reduce its politicization. Additionally, Mr. Biden is advocating for a constitutional amendment that would limit presidential immunity, particularly in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling that granted former presidents immunity for certain actions taken while in office. This proposed amendment, which Mr. Biden has referred to as the 'No One is Above the Law' amendment, aims to clarify that former presidents can be held accountable for any crimes committed during their time in office. In his opinion piece published in the Washington Post, Mr. Biden expressed his concerns about the current state of the Supreme Court, stating that 'what is happening now is not normal' and that it undermines public confidence in the court's decisions. He emphasized the need for reforms to ensure that the court operates fairly and transparently. Despite the challenges that lie ahead in getting these reforms passed through Congress, Mr. Biden hopes that by advocating for these changes, he can energize voters as the November 2024 elections approach. The Supreme Court has made several landmark rulings in recent years, including the controversial decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion in June 2022. This ruling has sparked widespread protests and discussions about the role of the court in American society. Furthermore, the court has faced scrutiny over allegations of ethical violations, particularly concerning Justice Clarence Thomas, who has been criticized for failing to report gifts he received from a wealthy donor. Mr. Biden's call for reform comes at a time when public trust in the judicial system is waning, and he believes that implementing these changes is crucial for restoring faith in the court. However, the proposal has met resistance from Republican lawmakers, who argue that Democrats did not seek to reform the court when it was more liberal. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina recently stated that the Democrats are only pushing for reforms now because they disagree with the court's current decisions. Former President Trump has also condemned the proposed reforms, labeling them as an 'illegal' and 'unconstitutional' attack on the Supreme Court. He claims that these efforts are an attempt to undermine the justice system and interfere with the upcoming presidential election. Mr. Biden is expected to further discuss his proposed reforms at an event in Austin, Texas, later today, where he will likely outline his vision for a more accountable and transparent Supreme Court.