As reported by The Washington Times, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, is campaigning against former President Donald Trump by highlighting a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

During a rally in Nevada, Harris cautioned voters about the potential consequences of reelecting Trump, citing the court's decision that grants presidents absolute immunity for official actions.

The Supreme Court's decision on July 1, 2024, established that presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken under their core official functions.

This ruling came in response to a challenge brought by Trump, who claimed immunity from special counsel Jack Smith's election fraud indictment pending in Washington.

Supreme Court's Ruling On Presidential Immunity

The 6-3 decision by the Supreme Court outlined guidelines for lower courts to consider when evaluating charges against a president.

While the ruling did not specifically focus on Trump's charges, it has been perceived as a victory for the Republican nominee. The decision effectively delays proceedings against Trump, likely pushing them beyond the November 5 election date.

Critics of Trump have expressed frustration with the ruling, as it postpones his election fraud case and other legal battles. Lower courts are now tasked with determining which charges are subject to immunity and which are not. As a result, Trump's hearing in the election fraud case has been delayed until September, with no new trial date set.

The litigation surrounding Trump's immunity claim has been on hold for seven months while the Supreme Court deliberated on the matter.

Harris's Campaign Against Trump's Reelection

At the Nevada rally, Harris emphasized the heightened stakes of the upcoming election. She stated:

So much is on the line in this election and understand, this is not 2016, this is not 2020. This time around, the stakes are even higher. And that's because last month the Supreme Court basically told the former president that going forward, he will effectively be immune no matter what he does in the White House.

Harris further expressed concern about Trump's potential actions if reelected, claiming that he has vowed to be a dictator on his first day back in office.

She accused Trump of planning to weaponize the Department of Justice against his political enemies and even calling for the termination of the U.S. Constitution.

Dissenting Opinion And Ongoing Debate

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing for the Democratic-appointed justices, issued a strong dissent against the majority ruling. She warned that the decision "makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law."

Sotomayor criticized the Court's reasoning, stating: "Relying on little more than its own misguided wisdom about the need for 'bold and unhesitating action' by the President … the Court gives former President Trump all the immunity he asked for and more."

Gorsuch Explains Court's Reasoning On Immunity

Justice Neil Gorsuch offered insight into the Supreme Court's decision, emphasizing that the ruling does not grant unlimited immunity to presidents.

He stated:

There are some things we can agree on. You can impeach a president if he does something unlawful. You can enjoin or stop the conduct of his officials. You can go to court and get an injunction. Those are two things we can all agree on. We also agree that no man is above the law in his private conduct. Even a president can be prosecuted for speeding. His private conduct, he is like everyone else.

He highlighted the importance of existing checks on presidential power, such as impeachment and judicial injunctions, which remain available to address unlawful conduct by a president.

Conclusion

Vice President Kamala Harris is using the Supreme Court's recent ruling on presidential immunity as a key campaign point against Donald Trump's potential reelection. The decision grants presidents absolute immunity for official actions, which Harris argues could lead to unchecked behavior if Trump returns to the White House.

The ruling has delayed Trump's legal proceedings, including his election fraud case, prompting criticism from his opponents. The debate over presidential immunity and its implications for the upcoming election continues to be a significant issue in the 2024 campaign.