"Anyone Else Feel Like This Is The Beginning Of The Collapse Of The United States": 23 Reactions To The Supreme Court's Immunity Ruling
Recently, the US Supreme Court ruled that former president Donald Trump has immunity from prosecution for official acts he took during his presidency — and consequentially broadened our understanding of presidential power.
In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote: "Orders the Navy's Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune... Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune... Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law."
After news of the SCOTUS decision spread, here's how Americans reacted online:
1.
I'd just like to point out that, for 250 years, American presidents didn't need to ask for immunity.
— Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) July 1, 2024
2.
We all know how SCOTUS would decide what's an official vs unofficial act by a president. pic.twitter.com/Ce6GcATG7j
— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) July 1, 2024
20th Television / Via Twitter: @Esqueer_
3.
The fact that the Founding Fathers included Impeachment in the Constitution proves that they did not believe or intend for any President to have any kind of immunity.You do not have to be a Constitutional scholar to know this.
— Secret Agent Number Six (@DesignationSix) July 1, 2024
4.
Anyone else feel like this is the beginning of the collapse of the United States?Because it seems like enough wheels are starting to fall out that no matter what we're going into a bad place.
— Joe Biden's on the Dianne Feinstein Protocol 🇵🇸 (@ljmontello) June 30, 2024
5.
I am still waiting for a single republican to explain to me why trump needs Presidential Immunity if he is not a criminal.
— Sarah Ironside 💙 (@SarahIronside6) July 1, 2024
6.
Every time I taught The Diary of Anne Frank, the students in my class would ask how in the world could that have happened? How could normal people let it happen?Look around, friends.
— Jess Piper (@piper4missouri) July 1, 2024
7.
Joe Biden really has an opportunity to do some crazy shit in the next few months.But he won't. We all know he won't. But goddamn I wish he would.
— Imani Gandy (Orca’s Version) ⚓️ (@AngryBlackLady) July 1, 2024
8.
In almost any other country in the world people would be in the streets already. https://t.co/QU0jX7OENQ
— an oasis will bloom in the desert (@benFranklin2018) July 1, 2024
9.
I have to admit it’s sort of funny in a very fucked up way that the US is falling apart and the democrats are just like “we have to send $18 billion to Israel right away”
— cabral (@doctor_cabral) July 1, 2024
10.
I demand a refund of the 12 years of my life I was forced to learn about checks and balances since it was all *checks notes* a lie.
— Clara (@thatclarafied) July 1, 2024
11.
Me every time a new supreme court decision comes out lately pic.twitter.com/5uTQ8OvtcK
— Jordan Grimes 🚰 (@cafedujord) July 1, 2024
20th Television / Via Twitter: @cafedujord
12.
In retrospect maybe it was bad to have nine unelected officials who decide our most important laws behind closed doors with total immunity and a lifetime appointment while gladly and openly taking bribes.
— David C Bell (@MovieHooligan) July 1, 2024
13.
actually babe, you can't get mad at me. that was an official act
— Liz Charboneau (@lizchar) July 1, 2024
14.
The Supreme Court announcing that presidents are basically now kings during July 4th week is quite a choice.
— Bradford Pearson (@BradfordPearson) July 1, 2024
15.
I JUST WANT PRECEDENTED TIMES FOR ONCE. I'm so tired. 🙁
— Anna (@itsafronomics) July 1, 2024
16.
I want you all to understand that all of this is because white people were angry a Black man dared to become the President.
— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) July 1, 2024
17.
A president who got fewer votes than his opponent appointed a third of the court, which then decided it's legal for him to try to stay in power by force after losing reelection. You're supposed to nod along to this farce like it's based on serious principles
— Political science B.A. (@InternetHippo) July 1, 2024
18.
It feels weird to celebrate our independence as a nation when it’s pretty clear we are losing it.
— John Collins (@Logically_JC) July 1, 2024
19.
O-H-G-O-D-W-E-R-E-F-U-C-K-E-D https://t.co/zx1lLdYUKy
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) July 1, 2024
20.
The Supreme Court is suppose to be largely A-political so the fact that a liberal Justice , Justice Sotomayor, is ending her opinion “With fear for our democracy, I dissent.” Should scare the absolute shit out of you.
— Olivia Julianna 🗳 (@0liviajulianna) July 1, 2024
21.
Our next president will likely get 2 Supreme Court picks.How could you possibly be worried about a debate performance?
— Brittany Crampsie (@BritCrampsie) July 1, 2024
22.
Dissenting in writing isn’t enough I need Justice Sotomayor to set something on fire
— Melissa Stewart (@LissaJoStewart) July 1, 2024
23.
crimes are legal for presidents now i guess pic.twitter.com/GYoGyUY9le
— Emma Mont (She/Her) (@theemmamont) July 1, 2024
