Court putting partisanship above integrity, democracy

The Republican-appointed, Federalist Society-recommended Supreme Court justices are acting more like lawyers for Donald Trump as they consider an immunity claim that would be appropriate for a king in an autocracy, but not for a president in a democracy.

A federal appeals court ruled 3 to 0 against Trump’s claim of immunity. The Supreme Court could act so the evidence and verdict in the charge that Trump tried to overthrow the election he lost would be available to the electorate before the coming election. Instead, right-wing members of the court are stalling the case by inventing the need to distinguish between private and official acts of a president. The Constitution makes no distinction between these acts. (“This Whole King Trump Thing Is Getting Awfully Literal,” New York Times, April 28, Sunday Opinion section, p. 3)

These are the same justices who acted quickly to make sure Trump was on the ballot in Colorado’s primary election.

Also, the Supreme Court’s conservatives might be concerned about the involvement of the wife of one of its members in the attempt to overthrow the election.

Sixty cases where Trump forces claimed fraud in his election loss were brought to courts before judges appointed by Republicans and Democrats. None of these cases found substantial or difference-making fraud thanks to the integrity of our judicial system.

Our democracy is precarious when our highest court puts partisanship above integrity.

Richard Barsanti

Western Springs