The recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity has exposed the true intentions behind the conservative campaign to control the court. For years, conservative intellectuals have argued that the mission of the Federalist Society was to restore the court to its original constitutional mandate. However, their vague definition of “originalism” has led to suspicions that it simply meant whatever was politically advantageous to conservatives.
The ruling on presidential immunity is further evidence that originalism was merely a ploy to gain power. The court’s conservative majority has shown itself to be a corrupt political machine with both short- and long-term goals. In the present, they are determined to protect Donald Trump and the Republican Party. In the long run, their objective is to safeguard the powers of those who will enable white minority rule in America for years to come.
This ruling essentially grants Trump a blank check, shielding him from ongoing criminal cases and potentially granting him unlimited power if he returns to the White House. It is clear that the right-wing block of the Supreme Court is tired of democracy and desires a right-wing dictator. It is not difficult to imagine how differently they would have ruled if the question of presidential immunity involved a Democratic president.
The right-wing court is engaged in a radical revolution, seeking to rewrite modern American history. Through their rulings, the conservative justices are revealing their rejection of the major societal changes that have occurred since World War II. They hold onto a fantasy version of 1940s America, longing for a time before integration, civil rights, women’s rights, reproductive rights, gay rights, and the modern expansions of free speech and press freedom. Above all, they yearn for a less diverse America where white male power was unquestioned. Their desire for this vision is so strong that they are willing to abandon democracy to achieve it.
With the approval of the Federalist Society, this radicalized court is dismantling the landmark Supreme Court rulings of the post-World War II era. They have already gone after Roe v. Wade, voting rights, affirmative action, gun control, and environmental regulations. They have also signaled to conservative lawyers that now is the time to bring extreme lawsuits to the court in order to establish more right-wing precedents. The court’s radical nature may lead to potential bans on access to contraceptives and a reversal of the legalization of gay marriage. It would not be surprising if they even targeted Brown v. Board of Education, the historic ruling that declared separate but equal schools unconstitutional and paved the way for integration.
This court will be remembered alongside the justices responsible for the infamous Dredd Scott decision, which is considered the worst ruling in American history. Their pursuit of political power is evident, and their robes cannot hide their true intentions. The Supreme Court’s actions demonstrate a dangerous disregard for democracy and a willingness to undermine the progress made in American society.
