Vice President Kamala Harris recently expressed concern about the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling on former President Donald Trump's immunity case, as reported by The Hill.
The 6-3 decision along ideological lines determined that presidents have absolute immunity for actions taken while in office if they fall within the core responsibilities of holding that office.
Harris warned supporters at a campaign rally in Nevada about what this decision could mean if Trump wins back the White House, stating, "Donald Trump has vowed to be a dictator on day one of reelection. He said he will weaponize, essentially, the Department of Justice against his political enemies and even called for the 'termination of the Constitution of the United States.'"
In contrast to the focus on presidential immunity, Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch has recently voiced his worries about the overwhelming number of laws in America. In his new book, "Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law," co-written with Janie Nitze, Gorsuch reflects on his years as a judge and the many cases where ordinary people have been caught up in the complexity and volume of laws.
Gorsuch acknowledges that some laws are essential to our lives and freedoms but warns that too much of them can put those freedoms at risk and undermine respect for the law itself. He shares stories of real people who have been caught in the chaos and confusion of "our multitude of statutes, rules, regulations, orders, edicts and decrees" without even realizing it.
The Supreme Court justice points out the severity of the situation, noting that "we now have so many federal criminal laws covering so many things that one scholar suggests that 'there is no one in the United States over the age of 18 who cannot be indicted for some federal crime.'"
Gorsuch calls attention to serious cases of personal freedom infringement resulting from excessive laws while also highlighting some ridiculous examples of laws still on the books.
For instance, it's a federal crime to sell a mattress without a warning label, consult with a known pirate, or advertise wine by suggesting its intoxicating properties.
He also addresses the COVID-19 pandemic, during which "the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration … asserted the authority to issue a mandate requiring some 84 million Americans to mask and test at their own expense or take newly developed vaccines rushed to market in something called Operation Warp Speed."
Despite his concerns about the overabundance of laws and the impact on individual freedoms, Gorsuch remains "an incorrigible optimist." He believes that the nation has overcome daunting odds time and again since its beginning and, "almost 250 years later, here we stand."
Looking ahead, Gorsuch hopes for "a rule of law designed to ensure fair notice, equal treatment, and room for individual flourishing." He emphasizes his unwavering faith in the American people, stating that he would "never bet against the American people."
In conclusion, the contrasting perspectives offered by Vice President Kamala Harris and Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch highlight the ongoing debates surrounding presidential immunity and the impact of excessive laws on individual freedoms.
While Harris warns about the potential consequences of the Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's immunity case, Gorsuch expresses concern over the overwhelming number of laws that can entangle ordinary Americans. Despite these challenges, Gorsuch remains optimistic about the nation's future and the resilience of the American people.
