Local lawmakers respond to Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Lawmakers from around our region are weighing in on Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity.

In a historic 6-3 ruling, the court Monday ruled that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, extending the delay in the Washington criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss and all but ending prospects the former president could be tried before the November election.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in a statement called the ruling another extreme example of what happens when the court is stacked with conservative extremists. “These are just some of the dangerous rulings from a right-wing, corporate-sponsored Supreme Court that continues to serve an extremist agenda,” he said. “If these conservative justices want to make public policy, they should simply quit the Supreme Court and run for political office.”

“This activist Supreme Court has unconscionably allowed Donald Trump to evade criminal liability, a move that all but ensures he will never face justice for his attempts to subvert our democracy,” said Senator Peter Welch in a statement. “It defies logic and our nation’s democratic principle that no person is above the law. Today, the Supreme Court stood up for a political figure rather than the rule of law.”

“Today, the Supreme Court delivered another shocking blow to our democracy. This dangerous, disgraceful ruling allows Presidents to act like dictators with no consequence. Our democracy is built on the idea that no one is above the law. However, today, the Supreme Court dismantled that principle,” Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint said in a statement. “Treason and inciting an insurrection are not core powers afforded to a President. Donald Trump has made clear he’s prepared to act as a dictator from the Oval Office from day one and the Supreme Court just gave him full permission. Congress must act to reel in this extremist MAGA court. Our democracy is on the line.”

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a Trump surrogate, supported the ruling. “Today’s Supreme Court decision is a historic victory for President Donald Trump, the Constitution, the rule of law, and the American people. The President of the United States must have immunity, like Members of Congress and federal judges, which is necessary for any presidency to function properly. I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump to ensure his victory and Save America.” she said in a statement.