This article was originally published in the Welcome Home print issue of The Daily Utah Chronicle, originally in stands on August 25, 2024. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.

All six of the Supreme Court’s conservatives ruled for the first time that former presidents have expanded immunity from prosecution. This ruling effectively extends the delay of the January 6th case, which involved a four-count indictment against former President Donald Trump for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election. This guarantees that the Washington criminal case against Trump won’t move to trial before the 2024 general election.  

The principle of accountability is sacred in a democracy. It ensures that, regardless of one’s position, no individual is above the law. The Supreme Court’s expansion of presidential immunity weakens checks on executive power and compromises presidential accountability. Citizens and lawmakers must advocate for reforms to ensure no one, regardless of official position, is exempt from legal scrutiny and accountability.  

Shielding Unprecedented Power 

The Supreme Court’s ruling grants absolute protection for actions considered within the president’s official duties. This decision dangerously shields critical functions, including issuing pardons and conducting foreign policy, from legal scrutiny regardless of their implications.  

This sweeping shield obliterates accountability and transparency in governance. Even acts not traditionally core to presidential responsibilities now enjoy presumptive immunity. This effectively renders the president untouchable for a wide range of actions.  

This decision empowers the president to operate without oversight, undermining fundamental democratic principles. By allowing such expansive immunity, the Supreme Court effectively places the president above the law. This protection doesn’t strictly cover fundamental duties — but questionable actions as well, allowing misconduct and power abuse to go unchecked. This alarming shift distorts the balance of power and erodes the foundation of democratic accountability. In doing so, the Court endangers the integrity and trust in our democratic institutions.  

Supreme Court’s Executive Favoritism 

By granting such expansive immunity, the Supreme Court dismantles crucial checks and balances designed to prevent abuses of executive power. The framers of the Constitution envisioned a system where each branch of government serves as a check on the others, ensuring no single branch becomes too powerful.   

This ruling, however, grossly tilts the balance in favor of the executive, severely diminishing the judiciary’s ability to hold presidents accountable for unconstitutional and illegal actions. This decision fundamentally betrays the framers’ intent, allowing the executive branch to operate with near-absolute impunity. The notion that a president can act without fear of legal consequence, even when overstepping bounds, poses a direct threat to the integrity of our democracy.  

This ruling insinuates that the highest office in the land is beyond reproach, creating a precedent where future presidents might exploit this immunity to further consolidate power and evade justice. This erosion of checks and balances invites a slide towards authoritarianism. In a system where power is unchecked and accountability is absent, the risk of corruption, abuse and tyranny becomes alarmingly real.  

Democracy At Risk 

At its core, the Supreme Court’s decision will erode public trust in the integrity of governmental institutions. Democracy thrives on transparency, accountability and the rule of law. Expansive interpretations of immunity shield presidential actions from scrutiny. This will cause the foundational pillars of democracy to crumble. This ruling sends a dangerous message: those in the highest office can act without fear of repercussions. Citizens will lose faith in their ability to hold elected officials accountable when we liberally grant immunity. This erosion of trust leads to widespread disillusionment and disengagement from civic life.

When elected leaders are above the law, democratic participation will decline and weaken the fabric of our democracy. Voter turnout will diminish, activism will wane and the very mechanisms that sustain our democracy will weaken. The legitimacy of the electoral process will be questioned, and trust in elected representatives will deteriorate, leading to a crisis of confidence in the entire political system.  

Losing Respect and Trust

The Supreme Court’s decision to expand presidential immunity poses a serious threat to democratic principles. By protecting presidents from legal scrutiny, the Court undermines the basic idea that everyone should be held equally accountable under the law. This ruling weakens the checks and balances meant to prevent abuse of power. Public trust in government is already fragile on both sides of the political spectrum. This ruling will further erode confidence in our democratic institutions.  

A government that operates on a different set of rules for its leaders loses the respect and trust of the people it’s meant to serve. The future of our democracy hinges on our collective commitment to upholding the rule of law and holding all elected officials accountable to the highest standards of justice.  

[email protected] 

@lexihall_chrony