Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Tuesday that the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity is a “setback to our constitutional order.”
“This is, to me, an unbelievable decision,” Johnson said on MSNBC’s “Good morning, Joe.” “And, in my opinion, it is a setback for our constitutional order.”
Monday’s 6-3 ruling by the nation’s highest court concluded that central presidential powers have immunity from criminal prosecution. The decision divided the judges along ideological lines, with liberals on the court reacting against the decision.
“I studied constitutional law 45 years ago,” Johnson said in his “Morning Joe” appearance. “And I think I must have missed the lesson where my teacher said, ‘There is a provision in the Constitution that says, “Presidents have criminal immunity from criminal liability.”’”
The Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity was a victory for former President Trump and returned his federal case over efforts to overturn the election four years ago to a lower court.
“GREAT VICTORY FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AMERICAN!” Trump said on Truth Social shortly after the decision was released.
President Biden condemned the immunity decision on Monday, referring to it as a “dangerous precedent.”
“For all practical purposes, today’s decision almost certainly means that there are virtually no limits to what a president can do. It is a fundamentally new principle,” Biden said in comments at the White House. “It is a dangerous precedent because the power of the office will no longer be limited by the law, including even the United States Supreme Court.”
“The only limits will be self-imposed only by the president,” he added.
The Hill reached out to the Supreme Court.
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