Following Unprecedented Supreme Court Decision, Hirono Releases Constitutional Amendment to Clarify No One is Above the Law

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a discussion draft of a constitutional amendment making clear that no one in the United States is above the law, including the President.

“The rule of law is what separates democracy from other forms of government,” said Senator Hirono. “For centuries, Americans have understood the rule of law to apply to all Americans, including the President. But in a misguided and ahistorical decision, the Supreme Court majority massively weakened the rule of law as it applies to presidents. This constitutional amendment would make clear that the rule of law applies to everyone, including presidents.”

In response to the Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision last month that Presidents are immune from prosecution for “official” actions, Senator Hirono’s amendment would clarify that Presidents are, in fact, accountable to the law for their actions. Specifically, the amendment states that the President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the U.S. government are criminally liable for actions both official and unofficial under any generally-applicable criminal laws they violate.

The full text of Senator Hirono’s amendment is available here.

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