Biden Announces Ambitious Reforms for Conservative-Dominated Supreme Court

Washington, D.C., The Gulf Observer: U.S. President Joe Biden has unveiled a series of urgent reforms targeting the conservative-dominated Supreme Court, in an ambitious effort to shape his legacy during his final six months in office. The 81-year-old Democrat’s proposal, announced on Monday, includes a call for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that backed former President Donald Trump’s claims of presidential immunity.

The proposed reforms also aim to establish term limits for Supreme Court justices, who currently hold lifetime appointments, in response to contentious decisions such as the repeal of the nationwide right to abortion. In a speech delivered in Austin, Texas, Biden elaborated on his plans, which also include an enforceable ethics code for the justices following a series of scandals.

During an Oval Office address last week, Biden confirmed his intention to pursue these reforms, outlining them as key priorities after announcing his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Despite facing an uphill battle in a deeply divided Congress, Biden emphasized the necessity of these changes to restore public confidence in the judiciary.

“This nation was founded on a simple yet profound principle: No one is above the law. Not the president of the United States. Not a justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. No one,” Biden wrote in an opinion piece published on Monday. “What is happening now is not normal, and it undermines the public’s confidence in the court’s decisions, including those impacting personal freedoms. We now stand in a breach.”

Although the likelihood of passing these reforms is slim, they reflect Biden’s mounting frustration with a court heavily influenced by Trump-appointed judges. Recent opinion polls indicate a growing public distrust in the institution.

The White House announced that both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, now the presumptive Democratic nominee for the upcoming election, are eager to collaborate with Congress on these initiatives.

Previously hesitant to endorse court reforms, Biden now supports implementing 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices, with new appointments every two years. This measure aims to prevent any single presidency from exerting disproportionate influence over the court. Additionally, Biden seeks to establish a binding and enforceable ethics code akin to those governing federal judges.

The Supreme Court currently holds a 6-3 conservative majority, with three justices appointed during Trump’s presidency. The court’s decisions have frequently countered Biden’s administration, notably with the 2022 overturning of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which had guaranteed federal abortion rights. Subsequently, over 20 states have enacted full or partial abortion bans.

This year, the court further curtailed the power of federal agencies and partially ruled in favor of Trump’s claims of presidential immunity, which Trump is now leveraging to challenge his criminal convictions and other prosecutions.

The Supreme Court has also faced ethics controversies involving its conservative justices. Justice Clarence Thomas admitted to accepting luxury vacations funded by a billionaire Republican donor and has faced criticism for not recusing himself from cases related to the 2020 election, given his wife’s involvement in efforts to overturn the election results. Justice Samuel Alito has also faced calls for recusal from Trump-related cases after flags linked to Trump’s false election fraud claims were seen outside his residences.

Legal expert Steven Schwinn cautioned that Biden’s chances of passing these reforms are “close to zero.” However, Schwinn noted that Biden might be attempting to “raise public consciousness” and position the Supreme Court as a pivotal issue in the upcoming election.

Despite the formidable challenges, Biden’s proposed reforms underscore his commitment to addressing perceived imbalances and ethical concerns within the highest court of the United States.