Biden's Supreme Court Reform Proposals: A Targeted Attempt to Sideline Trump?

In a move that appears to be aimed squarely at former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden has unveiled three controversial proposals to reform the United States Supreme Court. These proposals, which include introducing term limits for justices, enforcing a binding code of conduct, and amending the Constitution to clarify that "no one is above the law," seem to be less about judicial reform and more about ensuring Trump stays out of the 2024 presidential race. Let's delve into each proposal and explore the motivations and potential impacts behind them.

1. The ‘No One Is Above the Law’ Amendment

The first proposal on Biden’s list is a constitutional amendment designed to ensure that former presidents can be prosecuted for crimes committed while in office. This move follows a recent Supreme Court decision that granted presidents broad immunity from prosecution for their actions while in office. The timing of this proposal, less than a month after this ruling, raises questions about its true intent.

Biden’s push for this amendment is heavily colored by his references to the Founding Fathers and the importance of limiting presidential power. He stated, "I share our Founders’ belief that the president’s power is limited, not absolute. We are a nation of laws — not of kings or dictators." However, given the ongoing legal battles facing Trump, this proposal appears to be a strategic maneuver to keep Trump entangled in legal troubles and away from the 2024 campaign trail.

2. Term Limits for Supreme Court Justices

Biden’s second proposal advocates for imposing term limits on Supreme Court justices, allowing a president to appoint a new justice every two years for an 18-year term. This change is positioned as a way to bring regularity and predictability to the court’s composition. However, it also serves as a clear attempt to reduce the long-term influence of any single presidency on the court, particularly the influence of Trump-appointed justices.

"We have had term limits for presidents for nearly 75 years," Biden argued. "We should have the same for Supreme Court justices." By implementing term limits, Biden aims to dilute the lasting impact of Trump’s judicial appointments, ensuring a more frequent turnover that could shift the ideological balance of the court away from Trump-era conservatism.

3. A Binding Code of Conduct for Justices

The third proposal introduces a binding code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, requiring them to disclose gifts, abstain from political activities, and recuse themselves from cases where they or their spouses have conflicts of interest. While this proposal is framed as a common-sense approach to ensuring judicial integrity, it seems to target justices who have shown support for Trump or conservative causes.

The proposal comes in the wake of revelations about Justice Clarence Thomas receiving financial benefits from conservative figures. Biden’s push for a binding ethics code seems to be a direct response to these incidents, aiming to curtail the influence of justices who could be seen as sympathetic to Trump’s agenda.

The Bigger Picture: An Attempt to Block Trump?

While Biden frames these proposals as necessary reforms to protect America’s democratic institutions, the timing and focus suggest a more strategic objective: preventing Donald Trump from making a political comeback. By pushing for a constitutional amendment that explicitly allows for the prosecution of former presidents, Biden is ensuring that Trump remains legally vulnerable and potentially barred from running in 2024.

Moreover, by advocating for term limits and a binding code of conduct, Biden is attempting to reshape the judiciary in a way that minimizes the influence of Trump’s judicial appointments. These proposals, if enacted, would pave the way for a Supreme Court that is less conservative and more aligned with Biden’s vision of justice.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the boldness of these proposals, they face significant obstacles in a divided Congress. With an election year on the horizon and Biden not seeking reelection, the political landscape is fraught with uncertainty. Nonetheless, Biden is set to make a strong case for these reforms in an upcoming speech at the Lyndon B. Johnson presidential library in Austin, Texas, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.

In his op-ed, Biden emphasizes that these reforms are supported by a majority of Americans and constitutional scholars from both sides of the political spectrum. "We can and must prevent the abuse of presidential power," Biden asserts. "We can and must restore the public’s faith in the Supreme Court. We can and must strengthen the guardrails of democracy." However, the underlying message seems clear: these reforms are designed to keep Trump from reclaiming the presidency.

Conclusion

President Biden’s proposals to reform the Supreme Court are presented as measures to protect democracy and restore accountability. Yet, the timing and content of these reforms suggest a targeted effort to sideline former President Donald Trump. By introducing a constitutional amendment that ensures former presidents can be prosecuted, imposing term limits on justices, and enforcing a binding code of conduct, Biden is strategically positioning these changes as necessary for democracy, while simultaneously keeping Trump at bay.

As the nation watches these proposals unfold, it is evident that the battle for the future of the Supreme Court—and the presidency—is far from over. The political maneuvering behind these reforms underscores the high stakes involved and the lengths to which Biden’s administration will go to prevent a Trump resurgence.