President Joe Biden has proposed a significant overhaul of the Supreme Court, targeting reforms intended to address what he describes as a “crisis of ethics” within the judiciary.
Announced in a Washington Post op-ed, Biden’s plan includes measures to introduce term limits for justices, establish a binding code of conduct, and curb the potential for future abuses of presidential power.
Biden’s op-ed emphasized that no individual, including a Supreme Court justice, is above the law. He criticized the Court’s recent 6-3 decision granting broad immunity to presidents, arguing that it could enable unchecked presidential actions. “The only limits will be those self-imposed by the person occupying the Oval Office,” Biden wrote.
Vice President Kamala Harris, a presidential candidate herself, voiced support for the proposed reforms, citing ongoing ethics scandals and decisions that undermine long-standing precedents. She echoed Biden’s concerns about the Court’s current state and its impact on public confidence.
The proposed reforms include term limits for Supreme Court justices, suggesting that a new justice should be appointed every two years, serving an 18-year term.
This change aims to introduce regular turnover and reduce the potential for long-term ideological entrenchment.
Additionally, Biden called for establishing a binding code of conduct for the Supreme Court, noting that the current voluntary ethics code is insufficient.
He advocated for transparency in financial disclosures, restrictions on public political activity, and mandatory recusal from cases involving personal or financial conflicts of interest.
Biden argued that these changes would not only prevent the abuse of presidential power but also restore public trust in the Supreme Court and strengthen democratic safeguards. He asserted that the majority of Americans support these reforms.
The op-ed concluded by reaffirming democratic values, with Biden emphasizing that in America, no one is above the law and that the people ultimately rule.
