To the Editor:Re “Supreme Court Gives Trump Substantial Immunity From Prosecution” (live updates, nytimes.com, July 1):The Supreme Court’s decision that presidents have presumptive immunity for “official acts” raises the importance of this November’s presidential election from very important to critically important, even more than we thought possible before this ruling was issued.
If presidents can carefully frame a decision as an “official act,” no matter how outrageous it is and what their true intentions are, then their ability to act with impunity has been amplified.
This presumed expansion of a president’s power sets the stage for a future “imperial presidency,” and it is music to Donald Trump’s ears.
If elected, Mr. Trump will unquestionably feel emboldened to act like an autocrat with unimpeded authority.
Today is not a good day for American democracy and those of us who want to preserve it.
Persons:
Donald Trump’s, Trump, Ken Derow Swarthmore, Donald Trump
Organizations:
Mr
Locations:
”, Pa, British