Schumer tries to strip Trump immunity ruling
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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is trying to effectively reverse the controversial Supreme Court decision that handed presidents legal immunity.
Why it matters: Legislation that will be unveiled by Schumer on Thursday elevates the Democratic Party's argument that the fate of democracy is at stake in the November elections.
- Schumer will introduce legislation that would reaffirm that presidents and vice presidents do not have legal immunity from actions that violate federal criminal law.
- SCOTUS decided at the beginning of July that former President Trump had legal immunity for official acts — a decision that was met with universal outrage from Democrats.
The big picture: The "No Kings Act" is the most forceful Democratic response yet to the SCOTUS decision that pushed Trump's classified documents case trial to after the election.
- "In a dangerous and devastating ruling, the MAGA Supreme Court has once again subverted the will of the American people, and the very idea of democracy itself," Schumer said in a statement.
- At least 28 other Democratic senators have signed on to co-sponsor the legislation.
- Democrats have pointed to the Supreme Court decision as evidence that Trump is a threat to democratic institutions, which is a top election issue for the party.
Between the lines: The legislation would also strip the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction over appeals that challenge the constitutionality of the bill.
- It would also establish additional legal guardrails, like allowing the government to bring criminal charges against a president or vice president in any U.S. district court.
Catch up quick: A former president is entitled to "absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion last month.
- The former president is entitled to "presumptive immunity" for other official acts but "no immunity for unofficial acts," he added.
Reality check: Even if this legislation were to miraculously pass the Senate, it has no chance of clearing the Republican-controlled House.
- Instead, this is another messaging play from Schumer, giving Democrats another tool to use in their November campaigns.
Go deeper... READ: Supreme Court issues ruling on Trump immunity
