(PatriotNews.net) – WASHINGTON, DC — Vice President Kamala Harris has joined President Joe Biden in pushing for changes to the Supreme Court that many say would destroy its independence. Their plan has drawn strong criticism from conservative leaders, who see it as a dangerous overreach.
In an op-ed for the Washington Post, Biden laid out three major changes to the Supreme Court. Harris has backed Biden’s ideas, making them a key part of the upcoming presidential campaign.
First, Biden wants to limit Supreme Court justices to 18-year terms, with a new vacancy every two years. This would end the lifetime appointments that justices have had since the Constitution was created in 1789. Critics argue this change would be unconstitutional since the Constitution states that federal judges serve as long as they show “good behavior,” meaning they can’t be forced out unless they commit a serious crime.
Second, Biden is calling for the Supreme Court to follow an ethics code set by Congress. Opponents argue this is a way for Democrats to control the court by making conservative justices step aside from important cases, leaving liberals to make decisions. They say it’s unconstitutional because the Supreme Court is an equal branch of government and can’t be controlled by Congress.
Third, Biden wants to remove the president’s immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts, a protection recognized in a Supreme Court ruling involving former President Trump. Critics say this change would leave future presidents worried about being prosecuted by political opponents after leaving office.
Harris has been vocal about her support for these changes, saying the Supreme Court’s fairness is in doubt due to ethics scandals and decisions that overturn long-standing precedents. However, conservatives argue these claims are false. They say only the Left questions the court’s fairness and that the so-called ethics scandals are exaggerated. They also argue that overturning precedents is rare and that Harris is using this issue for political gain.
Leonard Leo, co-chairman of the Federalist Society, said, “No conservative justice has made any surprising decisions in big cases, so let’s stop pretending this is about undue influence.” He added that unless Democrats apply an ethics ban on all branches of government, their campaign is simply an effort to control the Supreme Court.
Mark Paoletta, a veteran in Supreme Court confirmations, called the proposal a “dangerous assault on the Constitution’s safeguarding of liberty.” He believes the plan aims to remove conservative justices like Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Chief Justice John Roberts, violating the separation of powers.
Former Ambassador Ken Blackwell, chairman of the Conservative Action Project, echoed these concerns, stating, “The Far Left is determined to destroy the one branch of government they don’t control, and Kamala Harris is now making clear she would escalate that assault if given the powers of the presidency.”
The Supreme Court played a significant role in Donald Trump’s 2016 victory. Biden and Harris are betting that this issue will work in their favor for the 2024 election, hoping to sway voters with their proposed changes.
