Scoop: Democrats’ presidential immunity warning
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Demonstrators gather outside the U.S. Supreme Court as opinions were issued on June 28. Photo: Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images
The Democratic National Committee will take over the digital homepages of three major battleground-state newspapers Tuesday, hitting Donald Trump as a threat to democracy, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity is fueling a new party effort to remind voters of the former president's election denialism as President Biden's campaign is flagging.
- Trump and his allies, who tried to change the results of the 2020 election, have repeatedly previewed their plans to use the federal government to go after their political enemies if the former president wins a second term.
Driving the news: The DNC's takeover of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Philadelphia Inquirer and the Arizona Republic's homepages will underscore the connection between the SCOTUS ruling and Trump's refusal to say he will accept the 2024 election results, Axios has learned.
- The pages will direct readers to a new digital ad featuring clips from the debate when Trump — three times — would not commit to accepting the outcome of the Nov. 5 vote, along with footage of the Jan. 6 riot.
- "The DNC is reminding voters in critical battleground states that the only thing that stands between Donald Trump and our democracy is Joe Biden," communications director Rosemary Boeglin said in a statement.
The big picture: Democrats are painting a grim picture of what the Supreme Court ruling would mean for a second Trump term.
- The opinion "weaponizes, beyond even Donald Trump's wildest fantasies, the power and the immunity he would have to go after anybody he perceives as his enemies," Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) told Axios.
- "There would be no boundaries, no safeguards. Our lives would be upended," Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) said of a potential second Trump administration.
- "People are waking up today realizing: 'Holy sh*t, this is happening. This is really a scary time in the country,'" Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) told Axios.
Between the lines: It's a welcome pivot for a party in panic after Biden's disastrous debate performance.
- Yes, Biden had a very bad debate night, and his age is a concern, Democrats have conceded. But they're arguing the threat Trump poses to democracy should scare voters more.
- During the debate, Trump would only go as far as to say he'd accept the results of the 2024 election if they are "fair and legal and good."
- The Trump campaign didn't respond to a request for comment.
Zoom out: Senate Democratic leaders also pointed out that Trump-appointed justices are now handing down decisions in his favor.
- Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday called the court the "MAGA Supreme Court."
- Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) criticized the "ultra-conservative Supreme Court majority" for the ruling.
What's next: It's not just messaging. House Democrats are also planning a legislative and investigative offensive in response to the SCOTUS ruling.
- Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, said he plans to introduce a constitutional amendment to "reverse SCOTUS' harmful immunity decision and ensure that no president is above the law."
