'Trump's spineless lackey': Mike Johnson slammed for dismissing Dem 'madness' over SCOTUS immunity ruling
!['Trump's spineless lackey': Mike Johnson under fire for dismissing Dem 'madness' over SCOTUS immunity ruling](https://dxltb3n5j8l6j.cloudfront.net/702754/uploads/becb14d0-383f-11ef-924f-5b270a895a92_800_420.jpeg)
WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson has dismissed the worries of Democrats over the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity, labeling their apprehensions about potential future presidential criminal behavior as "madness."
The Republican remarked in light of Democrats criticizing the latest SCOTUS ruling in former President Donald Trump's favor. On Monday, July 1, the conservative Supreme Court, in a 6-3 majority, ruled that the presidents enjoyed absolute immunity on their constitutional powers and presumptive immunity in other acts while in office.
"Look, there's all sorts of hyperbole tonight…and just this, fantastical, these hypotheticals they've made up [that] future presidents are going to turn into assassins and all the rest," Johnson said in an interview on Fox News after the ruling, as per The Hill.
"It's madness," he added.
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 6: Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 6, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. (Photo by Julia Nikhinson-Pool/Getty Images](https://pisco-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/46631876-4903-4b2e-a667-b1748a7d749c.jpg)
Mike Johnson defends Supreme Court's immunity ruling
The Supreme Court's immunity ruling raised concerns among Democrats, who indicated it would encourage future presidents to violate the law because of impunity, including Trump, if he wins the presidential election in November.
Some congressional Democrats mirrored the opinion of three liberal justices who opposed presidential immunity, citing a number of hypothetical crimes or situations a president might be protected from.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor voiced her dissent, stating that the majority ruling would "insulate" a president from "criminal prosecution" and that it would make the commander-in-chief "king above the law."
![MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 04: King Felipe VI of Spain receives Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice of The Supreme Court of the United States at Zarzuela Palace on March 04, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images)](https://pisco-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/6727208e-dab1-490e-ad32-64ead4fd7cde.jpg)
(Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images)
Speaker Johnson discredited this argument, stating that the conservative majority's ruling "follows common sense" as well as the Constitution.
Further, the Trump ally asserted that a president should be able to make difficult decisions without being worried about the possibility of "rogue prosecutors" going after them in the future. The speaker indicated it would be impossible for a president to operate effectively if the "sword of Damocles" was dangling over his head.
Johnson also criticized the three liberal justices, accusing them of "playing along with the charade" by opposing the ruling.
![NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 14: U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) addresses the media outside of Manhattan Criminal Court on behalf of former President Donald Trump on May 14, 2024 in New York City. Former U.S. President Donald Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)](https://pisco-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/be8bdec8-ed50-4094-b582-8228159fa114.jpg)
The apex court decision would likely delay Trump's election interference trial, sending it back to a lower court to reassess whether his actions on January 6, 2021, were protected from criminal prosecution.
Internet slams Mike Johnson for dismissing Democrats' concerns over SCOTUS' immunity ruling
Netizens blamed Johnson for being a "spineless" Trump supporter as he shrugged off the Democrats' fears over the impact of the Supreme Court's immunity ruling.
"Show me where in the Constitution it says presidents have immunity. You're a liar and Trump’s spineless lackey," a user wrote.
"Defending this ruling is madness," another remarked.
Show me where in the Constitution it says presidents have immunity. You’re a liar and Trump’s spineless lackey.
— Brian Gilbert (@BGilbert64) July 2, 2024
"You're okay with the SC's ruling because you are a pathological liar and an election denier, and the Court's ruling is music to your ears for several reasons. None of them are good because you're not a good person nor do you have principles, integrity, or honor," fumed a third user.
"Trump attempted to remain in power by rejecting the results of an election. Full stop. You and others are denying the will of the voters, 'We the People'. The madness is Trump's agenda and his supporters. That's you," read a fourth response.
"You are a despicable piece of human," another blasted Johnson.
You're okay with the SC's ruling because you are a pathological liar and an election denier, and the Court's ruling is music to your ears for several reasons. None of them are good because you're not a good person nor do you have principles, integrity, or honor.
— cobssybil (@cobssybil) July 2, 2024
Trump attempted to remain in power by rejecting the results of an election. Full stop. You and others are denying the will of the voters, ‘We the People’. The madness is Trump’s agenda and his supporters. That’s you.
— Answers in Rocks (@rkdoctr) July 2, 2024
"Mr. Johnson, you know it’s not hyperbole. Would Joe Biden be prosecuted if he now had Trump killed & said it was done as an official act to eliminate a clear & present danger to the US? No. & even if he was, Trump has shown US the case would be tied up in courts for 20 years," someone else argued.
"@SpeakerJohnson is a spineless coward!" An individual added.
"If a Democrat president was getting absolute immunity I'm guessing Moses would feel very different. However, because it is GQP they are fine with it," another user said.
Mr. Johnson, you know it’s not hyperbole. Would Joe Biden be prosecuted if he now had Trump killed & said it was done as an official act to eliminate a clear & present danger to the US? No. & even if he was, Trump has shown US the case would be tied up in courts for 20 years. https://t.co/1MriLWgyK6
— Alane (@alaneyo) July 2, 2024
@SpeakerJohnson is a spineless coward! https://t.co/HXxqhtMZRs
— Stanley Henson 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@HensonStanley74) July 2, 2024
If a Democrat president was getting absolute immunity I'm guessing Moses would feel very different. However, because it is GQP they are fine with it.
— MiMiTo5 (@PeekNReilly) July 2, 2024
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