Wall Street Journal calls Biden's plan to 'reform' the Supreme Court 'an attack on democracy'

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the Wall Street Journal's criticism of President Biden's proposals to transform the Supreme Court, including measures such as term limits, ethics rules, and a constitutional amendment to limit presidential immunity.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Wall Street Journal's Criticism of Biden's Proposals

1. What are the key points of the Wall Street Journal's criticism of Biden's proposals to transform the Supreme Court?

• The Wall Street Journal argues that Biden's proposals would "undermine respect for the Court's decisions" and "leave the public with the impression of routine corruption."
• The Journal criticizes Biden for giving the proposals "an official Democratic Party imprimatur" and warns that the "most damaging parts are a threat to pass the next time Democrats control all of the government."
• The Journal specifically targets Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse's proposed ethics bill, arguing that it would "make the Court an adjunct of whatever political atmosphere exists at a given time" and target Justices who issue "unpopular opinions, however correct they are on the law or Constitution."

2. How does the Wall Street Journal view the potential impact of Biden's proposals on the Supreme Court and democracy?

• The Journal argues that Biden's proposals are an "attack on democracy" and a threat to "judicial independence and the constitutional order."
• The Journal warns that Republicans need to "start talking about the threat the Biden scheme poses to the Court and our constitutional republic."

[02] Biden and Harris' Support for the Proposals

1. What is the Wall Street Journal's view on Biden and Harris' support for the proposals?

• The Journal states that Biden is "putting the full weight of the Democratic Party behind an assault on judicial independence and the constitutional order" and that Vice President Kamala Harris "was quick to endorse the plan on Monday."

2. How does the Journal characterize the potential impact of the proposals if they are passed in the future?

• The Journal warns that the "most damaging parts are a threat to pass the next time Democrats control all of the government."