The Wall Street Journal has sharply criticized President Joe Biden’s recent proposals to reform the Supreme Court, labeling them as detrimental to democracy. In an editorial published on Monday, the newspaper argued that Biden’s initiatives, which include term limits, new ethics rules, and a constitutional amendment to limit presidential immunity, would erode public trust and judicial independence.
Proposals and Criticism
President Biden, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, has called for significant changes to the Supreme Court. These proposed reforms aim to establish term limits for justices, introduce stringent ethics rules, and propose a constitutional amendment targeting presidential immunity. Biden and Harris, who is expected to be the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, have expressed that these measures are necessary to “restore trust and accountability to the court and our democracy.”
However, the Wall Street Journal editorial board contends that these reforms would achieve the opposite effect. “Mr. Biden says his reform will ‘restore trust and accountability to the court and our democracy,’ but it would do the opposite,” the editorial stated. “The deluge of ethics complaints, amplified by the press and partisans, would leave the public with the impression of routine corruption. This would further undermine respect for the Court’s decisions.”
Threat to Judicial Independence
The Wall Street Journal further criticized Biden’s proposals as an assault on judicial independence and the constitutional order. “The President is putting the full weight of the Democratic Party behind an assault on judicial independence and the constitutional order,” the editorial asserted, calling the plan an “attack on democracy.” The newspaper highlighted the risk of politicizing the judiciary, suggesting that such changes could transform the Court into an extension of the prevailing political climate.
Senator Whitehouse’s Ethics Bill
The editorial specifically targeted Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), whose proposed ethics bill concerning the Supreme Court has already passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill would allow litigants at the Court to file motions for the recusal of justices, with their colleagues potentially removing them from cases. The Journal warned that this could make the Court subject to political pressures, particularly targeting justices who deliver unpopular opinions, irrespective of their legal correctness.
Political Implications
The Wall Street Journal also questioned the Republican response to Biden’s proposals, urging GOP leaders to address the potential threats posed by these reforms. “Do they realize the Court’s future is on the ballot this year?” the editorial queried. The newspaper called for more vocal opposition from Republican figures, emphasizing the need to protect the Supreme Court’s independence and the constitutional framework.
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital regarding the Wall Street Journal’s editorial.
As the debate over the future of the Supreme Court continues, the Wall Street Journal’s critique underscores the contentious nature of Biden’s proposed reforms and their potential impact on the judiciary and American democracy.
