Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced plans to draft legislation allowing former President Trump to be held accountable for behavior following the 2020 election, including challenging the results and inciting the Capitol riot.
In a bold move that challenges the recent Supreme Court ruling granting presidents substantial prosecutorial immunity for official acts committed in office, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced plans to draft legislation that would strip former President Trump of these protections. The proposed bill aims to classify Trump's actions related to the 2020 election as "unofficial," thereby removing the immunity granted by the SCOTUS ruling.
Schumer's announcement comes amidst growing concerns among Democrats about the impact of the SCOTUS immunity ruling on the New York v. Trump case, which alleges that Trump violated the law by fraudulently inflating his net worth. The ruling has raised fears that Trump could evade accountability for his actions while in office.
Schumer Plans Legislation to Strip Trump of Immunity Granted by SCOTUS
In a fiery speech on the Senate floor, Schumer denounced the SCOTUS ruling, claiming it "incorrectly declared that former President Donald Trump enjoys broad immunity from criminal prosecution for actions he took while in office." He compared Trump to former President Richard Nixon, whose infamous defense in the Watergate scandal was that "when the president does it, that means it's not illegal."
"We were all taught in grade school that there are no kings here in America, but what the conservative justices have done is effectively place a crown on Donald Trump's head," Schumer declared.
Schumer Plans Legislation to Strip Trump of Immunity Granted by SCOTUS
Schumer's legislation would seek to undo the immunity protection granted to Trump by classifying his actions related to the 2020 election as "unofficial." This would allow prosecutors to pursue charges against Trump even if his actions were taken while he was in office.
The proposed legislation has drawn strong reactions from both Democrats and Republicans. Brian Hughes, a senior adviser to Trump's campaign, accused Schumer of attempting to "weaponize" the legal system against the former president. However, Democrats have hailed Schumer's initiative as a necessary step to hold Trump accountable for his actions.
Schumer Plans Legislation to Strip Trump of Immunity Granted by SCOTUS
The drafting of Schumer's legislation follows other recent efforts by Democrats to address concerns about the Supreme Court's immunity ruling. Rep. Adam Schiff, now the state's U.S. Senate nominee, introduced a comprehensive bill in 2023 called the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which includes a section entitled "Ensuring No President is Above the Law." Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island has also drafted legislation regarding Supreme Court criticisms, expressing his belief that the bench has been "captured by special interests."
The New York v. Trump case is closely watched as a potential test of the limits of presidential immunity and the ability to hold former presidents accountable for their actions in office. Schumer's proposed legislation is likely to face significant legal challenges, but it reflects the growing determination among Democrats to ensure that Trump is not above the law.
Schumer Plans Legislation to Strip Trump of Immunity Granted by SCOTUS
