President Joe Biden is reportedly contemplating endorsing significant reforms at the Supreme Court, a move that could mark a historic shift in the court's operations. Sources familiar with the discussions have revealed that Biden is considering supporting term limits for the nine justices, who currently serve lifetime appointments. Additionally, the president is looking to back an ethics code for the court with an enforcement mechanism, a feature lacking in the court's existing code.
Liberal lawmakers and advocacy groups have been advocating for these changes in recent years. Biden is also weighing the possibility of pushing for a constitutional amendment to overturn a recent court ruling that granted presidents immunity for certain actions taken while in office.
The Washington Post was the first to report on Biden's intentions to publicly endorse these reforms. If approved by Congress, these changes would represent some of the most significant reforms to the court in decades. Progressives have long been advocating for such reforms, and Biden's potential support marks a notable development in this ongoing debate.
In response to heightened scrutiny of the Supreme Court in 2023 due to ethical concerns surrounding some justices, Democrats in Congress pushed for reforms, though the momentum waned. The justices released an ethics code last year, which failed to address critics' concerns.
It is important to note that any reforms supported by Biden would require congressional approval, while a constitutional amendment would need ratification by 38 states, a challenging process. The outcome of these deliberations could have far-reaching implications for the functioning of the Supreme Court and the broader legal landscape in the United States.
