Category Archives: supreme court
Presidents Have the Same Legal Immunity as You
The Supreme Court heard arguments for presidential legal immunity. Trump, naturally, wants unlimited immunity if he wins. Would that mean he could gun down ex-president Joe Biden on Fifth Avenue? The Court seemed to be leaning to a more limited immunity from prosecution. More like what you and I have – up to $10,000 in free shoplifting.
Biden Fought the Law and the Law Won… kinda
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that President Biden lacks the authority to cancel student loan debt. “The Supreme Court blocked it,” he admitted, “but that didn’t stop me.” Yesterday Biden canceled $7.4 billion , bringing his total student debt relief to $153 billion since the high court said, “don’t.”
Four New Justices and Two Senators in D.C.
The House introduced legislation last week to pack the Supreme Court with four new justices. So why not add a couple senators while they’re at it? Done. They passed a bill on Thursday to make Washington DC the 51st state.
Scorched Earth Response to Filibuster Nuclear Option
Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell gave a “scorched earth” speech last week. Democrats have been threatening to end the filibuster which requires 60 votes to pass legislation. But McConnell said if they do that they’ll turn the Senate into a “100 car pile-up.” And nothing will get done:
Let me say this very clearly for all 99 of my colleagues: Nobody serving in this chamber can even begin — can even begin to imagine — what a completely scorched earth Senate would look like.
Mitch McConnell on the U.S. Senate floor
Senate rules require the consent of all its members to conduct business. So Republicans could easily grind the place to a halt. For example they could withhold consent to minor votes without quorum calls.
Harry Reid invoked the “nuclear option” in 2013 to kill the filibuster for approving most presidential appointments. But when the worm turned McConnell added Supreme Court nominees to Reid’s list and Trump landed three new justices.
Exponential Growth Supreme Court Packing
Exponential growth is great for your 401k but not so much for the U.S. Supreme Court. But that’s what we might expect if Joe Biden packs the court. Follow the link to Real Clear Politics for a real clear example.
