Biden Proposes Term Limits, Code of Conduct to Rein in 'Extreme' Supreme Court
By Jeff Mason and Andrea Shalal
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Monday unveiled a bold proposal aimed at reforming the U.S. Supreme Court, which he claims has been weaponized by a conservative majority to undermine civil rights and established legal protections. Speaking at the presidential library of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, Biden emphasized the urgent need for reforms to restore public trust in the judiciary.
Proposed Reforms
Biden's proposals include the introduction of term limits for justices and a binding code of conduct. He called for Congress to enact enforceable rules that would require justices to disclose gifts, avoid public political activities, and recuse themselves from cases involving personal or financial conflicts of interest. Specifically, he suggested an 18-year term limit for justices, contrasting it with the current life tenure system.
"I believe the best structure is the 18-year term limit. That would ensure that the country does not have what it has now - an extreme court ... that has been weaponized by those seeking to carry out an extreme agenda for decades to come," Biden stated.
Context and Challenges
Biden's proposals come at a time when the Supreme Court, bolstered by three appointments from former President Donald Trump, has shifted American law significantly to the right. Recent rulings have included the elimination of the constitutional right to abortion, expanded gun rights, and a rejection of race-conscious admissions policies in colleges. The court's decision regarding presidential immunity has also raised concerns about potential abuses of power.
Despite the urgency of Biden's proposals, immediate opposition from congressional Republicans poses a significant hurdle. House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the reforms as an attempt to "delegitimize the court," asserting that they would not be considered in the Republican-controlled chamber. The Republican National Committee echoed this sentiment, framing the proposals as a scheme to pack the court with "far-left, radical judges."
Code of Conduct for Justices
Currently, Supreme Court justices are not bound by a formal ethics code, unlike other federal judges. Although the court adopted its first code of conduct in November, critics argue that it lacks sufficient enforcement mechanisms and allows justices to self-determine their recusal from cases. This has raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the highest court in the land.
Biden's proposals would require legislation to impose term limits and establish a comprehensive ethics code, a task made more difficult by the current political landscape. The proposed constitutional amendment to clarify that former presidents do not enjoy immunity from federal criminal prosecution would also face significant challenges, requiring broad bipartisan support.
Conclusion
As Biden pushes for these reforms, he faces a divided Congress and a judiciary that has increasingly become a focal point of political contention. The president's call for change reflects a growing concern among many Americans about the integrity and impartiality of the Supreme Court. Whether these proposals will gain traction remains uncertain, but they signal a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the role of the judiciary in American democracy.