WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday unveiled a bill that would grant presidents immunity from criminal charges.
Legislation is a direct response The decision of the Supreme Court Last month, former President Donald Trump had some immunities regarding his presidential conduct. However, even if the bill passes the Senate, it will face an uphill battle in the House, which is controlled by Trump’s Republican allies.
“Given the dangerous and consequential implications of the court’s decision, legislation would be the fastest and most effective way to correct the harsh precedent set by the Trump decision,” Schumer, D.N.Y., said in a statement. “With this glaring and partisan overreach, Congress has an obligation — and constitutional authority — to act as a check and balance on the judicial branch.”
The so-called “no kings” legislation would ensure that neither sitting nor former presidents or vice presidents have the right to be prosecuted for alleged crimes. More than two dozen Democrats signed the bill.
If passed, the legislation would clarify that Congress, not the Supreme Court, has the power to determine “to whom federal criminal laws may apply,” according to a bill outline provided by Schumer’s office.
In a statement explaining his legal reasoning, Schumer called the Supreme Court’s decision on Trump’s immunity “disastrous,” claiming that “the Supreme Court overturned centuries of precedent and anointed Trump and subsequent presidents as kings above the law.”
Chief Justice John Roberts said in his speech majority opinion for the trial, lower courts would have to determine what Trump could be prosecuted for through additional proceedings.
Roberts wrote that “the nature of presidential power requires that a former president enjoy some immunity from criminal prosecution for his official acts while in office.”
Democrats protested strongly, and on Monday, President Joe Biden called for constitutional change “to clarify the absence of immunity for crimes committed by the former president while in office.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., sided with Trump, calling the court’s decision “a victory for former President Trump and all future presidents and yet another defeat for President Biden’s weaponized Justice Department and Jack Smith.”
“The court has made clear that presidents are entitled to immunity for their official actions.” Johnson said in X on time. “This decision is based on the clearly unique power and position of the presidency and is consistent with the Constitution and common sense.”
Democrats do not have a supermajority in Congress or in most state legislatures, meaning the likelihood of ratification of the new constitutional amendment is slim.