Sorry if this is not the proper community for this question. Please let me know if I should post this question elsewhere.

So like, I’m not trying to be hyperbolic or jump on some conspiracy theory crap, but this seems like very troubling news to me. My entire life, I’ve been under the impression that no one is technically/officially above the law in the US, especially the president. I thought that was a hard consensus among Americans regardless of party. Now, SCOTUS just made the POTUS immune to criminal liability.

The president can personally violate any law without legal consequences. They also already have the ability to pardon anyone else for federal violations. The POTUS can literally threaten anyone now. They can assassinate anyone. They can order anyone to assassinate anyone, then pardon them. It may even grant complete immunity from state laws because if anyone tries to hold the POTUS accountable, then they can be assassinated too. This is some Putin-level dictator stuff.

I feel like this is unbelievable and acknowledge that I may be wayyy off. Am I misunderstanding something?? Do I need to calm down?

  • Kevin@lemmy.worldEnglish
    532·
    6 months ago

    Yep. I’m so over American politics and I think the nation is headed in the wrong direction. I feel that the people are powerless against changing our trajectory. I had been considering doing a PhD abroad and this is really pushing that decision now.

    • DragonTypeWyvern
      394·
      6 months ago

      Do it. Do it now. You know what kind of person lived a life knowing they made the right decision?

      Everyone that left Germany in 1932.

      Let’s say the best possible thing happens. Biden crushes Trump, the Republicans lose so many seats Team Not Fascists can push through Constitutional Amendments.

      What would Democrats actually change for the better?

      Do you think that is likely?

      Or will you be spending the rest of your life wondering if this is the election year that starts a civil war in one of the the most militarised nations on the planet? Do you want to be in a major nuclear power where one side specifically hates cities when it has a civil war?

      Even if things go relatively well, this bullshit isn’t ending without one. As a best outcome! The other is no one even doing that! Every two fucking years you’re going to be watching which Congressional seats fall to fascism because one team has just chosen to abandon reality and democracy.

      • corsicanguppy@lemmy.caEnglish
        71·
        6 months ago

        What would Democrats actually change for the better?

        1. See Canada

        2. See Norway

        3. Do like them.

        That’s about 20 years of reform.

        1. GO TO 1
        • foggenbooty@lemmy.worldEnglish
          161·
          6 months ago

          The democrats are not even left enough to be a centrist party in Canada. They will not reform.

          • TheGalacticVoid@lemm.ee
            31·
            6 months ago

            While you might be generally correct, some of the legislation passed during Biden’s term is genuinely better than what even Europe could come up with.

          • DragonTypeWyvern
            22·
            6 months ago

            More likely they’ll have a party and slap each other on the back for not needing to court the union vote anymore.

        • Kachajal@lemmy.ml
          61·
          6 months ago

          You’re right that they could.

          Now look at their past legislation. Will they?

      • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
        1·
        6 months ago

        Just know that you’re not the only one that sees it this way. There are a lot of us, but not nearly enough.