On Monday morning, all three broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) reported on President Biden’s moves toward a new constitutional amendment on presidential immunity targeting former President Donald Trump, and calling on Congress to enact Supreme Court term limits.
The Supreme Court has been a major target of the Democratic Party, especially in the wake of overturning Roe v. Wade. As the media has been a part of the major push in delegitimizing the Court, the target has become even more obvious. The lengths to which the party will now go seems to be near ridiculous.
Biden’s plan, which he called on Congress to establish, included an enforceable code of ethics which would, “require justices to disclose any major gifts they receive and recuse themselves from cases in which their spouses may have a financial or other conflict of interest.”
What was not covered by the media, was the absolute hypocrisy of Biden’s push for Supreme Court term limits. Both CBS and ABC discussed the limits being 18 years long, with new judges appointed every two years. There was uncertainty in CBS senior White House correspondent Ed O’Keefe’s report as he stated, “It's unclear exactly how this would work and what it would mean for current nine justices who have lifetime appointments.” Yet, what was not mentioned was the fact that for the 47 years prior to winning the presidency, Biden benefited from never facing term limits.
None of these networks offered a second of rebuttal or critique from Republicans or legal scholars. ABC chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce admitted “There's almost little chance of this being approved by this deeply divided congress, with just 99 days left until the election.”
But Biden’s trying to sway voters. Once again it was networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC which lead the charge with such inadequate reporting. Following Biden dropping out of the presidential race, the media went on a days-long spree of gratitude and glorification, and now his lame-duck tactics are promoted.
Transcripts below:
NBC's Today
29/2024
07:12:43 AM EST(...)
HODA KOTB: President Biden today is set to call for an overall of the Supreme Court. The President wants Congress to create term limits for the high court. He is set to favor an 18-year term for the justices. The President will also call on Congress to make the Supreme Court subject to ethics requirements, regarding gifts and financial dealings. In addition, President Biden will also call for a constitutional amendment saying former Presidents do not have any immunity from federal criminal indictments or convictions.
(...)
CBS Mornings
7/29/2024
07:12:04 AM EST(...)
NATE BURLESON: Today President Biden is proposing major reforms affecting the presidency and the U.S. Supreme Court. Ed O'Keefe is at the Presidential library of Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin where Biden is commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. Ed, so what is the President proposing?
ED O’KEEFE: Well Nate, good morning. First up, President Biden is proposing a constitutional amendment that would make clear any former President could face prosecution for crimes committed while in office. It's designed to reverse that recent Supreme Court ruling that said former Presidents enjoy at least partial immunity from things they may have done while in office. A ruling that Donald Trump is now using to try to get state and federal cases against him dismissed.
The second proposal, a enforceable code of ethics that would require justices to disclose any major gifts they receive and recuse themselves from cases in which their spouses may have a financial or other conflict of interest. It's designed to address recent news reports about the past travel of some justices and the political activity of their spouses. But the boldest proposal from the President would establish 18-year term limits for justices and require a President to nominate a new justice every two years. It's unclear exactly how this would work and what it would mean for current nine justices who have lifetime appointments. Also important to remember these are just proposals that would require congressional approval, and as long as Republicans control any part of Congress, it's unlikely they would pass. This was designed to be introduced while President Biden was still running for office to juice his progressive base that's been increasingly concerned about the actions of Supreme Court justices and many of their rulings. Michelle?
MICHELLE MILLER: Ed, thank you.
(...)
ABC's Good Morning America
7/29/2024
08:03:33 AM EST(...)
ROBIN ROBERTS: We are going to turn now to President Biden, with a new call for Supreme Court reforms. Also a proposal to limit presidential immunity. Our chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce, she has those details for us. Good morning to you, Mary.
MARY BRUCE: Good morning, Robin. Well the President is calling for an overhaul to the Supreme Court, writing in an op Ed this morning, “That it is time to prevent the abuse of Presidential power and restore the public's faith in our judicial system.” The President saying what is happening now is simply not normal and that we stand in a breach. The President is calling on congress to establish term limits, arguing the current lifetime appointments give a President undue influence. Instead he's proposing that a President appoint a justice every two years for 18 year terms. He all wants to create an enforceable code of conduct on justices and he is calling for a constitutional amendment to limit the broad Presidential immunity the court’s conservative backed last month. The President saying that decision means there are virtually no limits on what a President can do. Now the political reality here is that it is going to be very difficult. There's almost little chance of this being approved by this deeply divided congress, with just 99 days left until the election. But the White House is hoping that this will shine a spotlight on recent decisions and will inform voters as they make their decision. And we are told this morning that the Vice President, Kamala Harris, is supportive of these changes. Rebecca?
ROBERTS: All right. Mary, thank you.
(...)
