A Plan to Fix the Supreme Court
On July 29, President Biden stepped up to announce a major overhaul aimed at boosting accountability within the Supreme Court.
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Speaking from the Oval Office, he stressed the necessity of these reforms, stating they are crucial “because this is critical to our democracy,” and stressed the importance of implementing them swiftly as his term approaches its end.
The Nitty-Gritty of Biden’s Supreme Court Overhaul
Biden’s laying down some serious new rules.
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He is proposing a constitutional amendment to make sure no former president can dodge legal bullets for crimes committed while in office, a cap of 18 years for justices on the bench, and a strict code of conduct to keep justices out of politics and transparent about any gifts they receive.
Republicans Are On Board, Says Recent Poll
A poll from early August shows a surprising trend.
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70% of Republicans are backing the new code of conduct for the Supreme Court, more than half support a constitutional amendment to ensure accountability, and just over 50% are all for setting term limits for justices.
It’s Not Just Republicans
And it’s not just Republicans who are into Biden’s judicial shake-up.
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Democrats and independents are also throwing their weight behind these reforms, with majorities across the board cheering for the conduct code and the “No One Is Above the Law Amendment.”
A Look at the Poll’s Scope
Diving deeper into the numbers, the poll surveyed 282 Republicans, 324 Democrats, and 310 independents, each group with a margin of error of just under 6%.
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The results are telling—a broad spectrum of Americans from all political backgrounds are saying a big yes to reforming the Supreme Court.
It’s Time to Fix the Ethics Crisis
Andrew Bates, a White House senior deputy press secretary, put it plainly, saying, the Supreme Court is “mired in a crisis of ethics,” making reform not just nice to have, but a must-have for the health of American democracy.
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Everyone, it seems, is ready for change.
The Spark for the "No One Is Above the Law" Push
The drive for the “No One Is Above the Law Amendment” picked up steam after a July 1 Supreme Court ruling highlighted a loophole for former presidents.
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Biden’s amendment wants to close that gap, reinforcing that the law applies equally to everyone, no matter their office.
Trump’s Troubles and the Urgency for Reform
Amid legal battles where former President Trump claims he’s immune from prosecution for actions taken while president, Biden’s reforms are timely.
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They’re not just about Trump but setting a precedent that even presidents face the music if they step out of line.
Questionable Gifts and Political Bias Raise Eyebrows
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito have been in the hot seat over ethics, from undisclosed gifts to questionable decisions in politically sensitive cases.
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The calls for impeachment highlight the urgency for a clearer ethical framework at the highest court.
Why Consider Term Limits for Justices?
The White House points out that term limits could freshen up the Court regularly, make nomination timings predictable, and prevent any president from leaving too lasting a mark on the judiciary.
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It’s about keeping the Court balanced and fair for every American, now and in the future.
Reflecting on Supreme Court Nominations: A Rocky Road
The Supreme Court’s recent nomination sagas—a blocked nominee in 2016 and a fast-tracked confirmation in 2020—show just how political and polarized these processes have become.
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Biden’s push for reforms could pave the way for a more stable and less contentious nomination process going forward.