WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity is sparking partisan reaction from lawmakers on Capitol Hill and from people outside the Court.
Some Congressional Republicans, like Northwest Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly (R- PA) say the ruling is a victory for former President Donald Trump. Kelly released this statement:
“Today’s ruling from the Supreme Court maintains our rule of law and soundly rejects the weaponized Biden Justice Department’s goal of targeting Donald Trump, their top political rival. The American people continue to see these cases against President Trump as what they really are- the product of a weaponized Biden Justice Department. This is a win for the Constitution ad for our democracy.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D- NY) is calling it disgraceful. He said on social media: “This disgraceful decision by the MAGA SCOTUS-which is comprised of 3 justices appointed by Trump himself-enables the former President to weaken our democracy by breaking the law. It undermines SCOTUS’s credibility and suggests political influence trumps all in our courts today.”
Outside of the Court, there were people there with mixed reactions to this case. One person told us this ruling is significant but we should not have to rely only on the Supreme Court to make these decisions.
“So the culmination of United States’ political culture is coming up to this moment and it is a precedent setting time in American history right now and I think what we need to be doing is be careful what precedent we set,” said Alyson Abel, outside the Supreme Court following the decision.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D- NY), said she will file articles of impeachment but did not say which justices she’s referring to.
In the decision, the Court ruled that presidents have immunity for “official acts” and ruled they have no immunity for “unofficial acts”. The Court didn’t decided whether Trump’s alleged conduct in attempting to overturn the 2020 election results was protected. A lower court would now be responsible for determining his immunity for those actions.
