Biden Calls for Supreme Court Term Limits and Ethics Code Amidst Growing Concerns Over Judicial Extremism

By Damon Ellison

President Joe Biden sounded the alarm over what he described as “extremism” within the U.S. Supreme Court in a bold and politically charged address at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. Marking the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, Biden outlined a sweeping proposal to reform the highest court in the land, underscoring the urgency of restoring public confidence in an institution increasingly viewed as partisan.

Biden, facing the final months of his presidency, called on Congress to enact term limits for the Supreme Court justices and establish an enforceable ethics code. Additionally, he urged lawmakers to ratify a constitutional amendment to limit presidential immunity, a clear nod to ongoing concerns about the balance of power and accountability in the executive branch.

“Extremism is undermining public confidence in the court’s decisions,” Biden declared, emphasizing the need for judicial reforms. “We can and must prevent abuse of presidential power and restore faith in the Supreme Court.”

The setting of the speech, at a landmark dedicated to a president known for his sweeping civil rights legislation, underscored the historical weight Biden sought to impart to his proposals. However, with just 99 days remaining until Election Day, and Congress closely divided, the prospects of such dramatic changes being approved seem slim.

Nonetheless, the president’s call to action has already sparked significant discussion. Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidential election, swiftly endorsed Biden’s proposals. She framed her campaign against Republican ex-President Donald Trump as “a choice between freedom and chaos,” aligning with Biden’s call for judicial reform as a cornerstone of her platform.

As Biden’s tenure nears its end, his administration’s push for Supreme Court reform highlights a critical juncture in American politics. The proposal, while facing long odds in Congress, aims to galvanize voters and shape the debate as the nation approaches a contentious election. Whether these calls for reform will resonate with the electorate or stir further political division remains to be seen.

For now, the debate over the future of the Supreme Court and the balance of power in American democracy takes center stage, with Biden and Harris making it a focal point of their message to the American people.