Congressman Cohen Condemns Today’s U.S. Supreme Court Rulings

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today denounced two decisions released by the U.S. Supreme Court involving former President Donlad Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution and another administrative law ruling on challenges to federal agency expertise relating to regulations already in effect.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“In the Trump immunity case, the Supreme Court today demolished a central tenet of democratic of government: nobody is above the law.  Starting today, July 1, 2024, the President is absolutely immune from liability for ‘official conduct,’ even if it is patently criminal.  This decision is antidemocratic and, more troubling, greenlights future lawless Presidencies.  We saw what President Donald Trump did when the criminal laws applied.  It should terrify all of us to imagine what a future President Donald Trump would do knowing he won’t be held accountable. 

“This decision further politicizes and delegitimizes the Supreme Court.  This is a case about January 6 and two of the Justices who voted with Donald Trump have demonstrated personal biases in the case.  Justice Thomas’ spouse was in communication with top White House officials leading up to the January 6 insurrection.  An upside-down American flag, a symbol of the insurrection, flew in front of Justice Alito’s home between the January 6th insurrection and President Biden’s inauguration.  Those Justices’ votes were critical.  Without them and their personal stakes, some semblance of the rule of law could have been preserved.

“In the Corner Post v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System case, the same 6-3 majority continued its rightward tilt in administrative law decisions. The Court is fundamentally changing the balance of power among the three branches of government.  Now, well-heeled interests can challenge any regulation at any time, and the Courts, not agency subject matter experts, will be the deciders.  It is now open season on all types of important health and safety regulations, like FDA drug approval, air and water quality standards, and workplace safety rules.  The Court has destabilized the federal government and made it harder to implement policies in the public interest.”

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