Republican members of Kentucky’s congressional delegation reaffirmed their support for the former president Donald Trump Monday after the Supreme Court ruled that presidents enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution for their official acts.
Trump — and all presidents, past and future — are entitled to “absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his ‘conclusive and preliminary constitutional authority,’” the 6-3 ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, said. “There is no immunity for unofficial acts.”
Judges Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor And Ketanji Brown Jackson disagreed, with Sotomayor writing that Monday’s ruling “effectively completely exempts presidents from criminal liability” and “reforms the institution of the presidency.”
Republican Congressmen Andy Barr and James Comer from Kentucky see it differently.
Barr, of Lexington, said the decision is a “monumental affirmation of the constitutional protections of the presidency.”
“This ruling is a resounding victory for the rule of law and ensures that no president can be unfairly prosecuted for carrying out his official duties,” he said on the social media platform X on Monday afternoon. “It is a victory for justice and a clear message that political witch hunts have no place in our democracy.”
Comer, who represents the First District, called the ruling “the right decision and a victory for all Americans.”
“We need strong checks and balances,” he posted on X. “Unfortunately, Democrats continue to use the judicial system as a weapon for political gain and spread dangerous rhetoric in an attempt to delegitimize the court.”
The American people can now focus on the November elections, Comer said Monday morning on Fox Business, “instead of worrying about what a court might decide against Donald Trump on a trivial or over-politicized issue.”
Comer then accused Democrats of abusing “every safety valve that we have in our form of government.”
“They have politicized everything too much.”
Sen. Rand Paul, the member of Kentucky’s delegation likely to be most critical of Trump, said in a statement that the Supreme Court’s ruling “will help prevent partisans from using lawfare to attack former presidents.”
“The decision is a rebuke to Democrats who are abusing the legal system to interfere in the election,” he said.
But Rep. Morgan McGarvey, the only Democrat in Kentucky’s Congress, said the decision “is a parody of the constitutional principles that are fundamental to American democracy.”
“A president is not a king, but the Supreme Court’s decision moves us closer to the tyranny and unbridled power of the monarchy that our revolutionaries rejected with their lives,” McGarvey posted on X.
“Let us be clear, Donald Trump’s Supreme Court has set a new and dangerous precedent that goes far beyond current politicians. Our democracy will pay the price,” he said.
Former Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth, who replaced McGarvey in 2022, wondered what Monday’s ruling could make possible now that the Supreme Court has effectively given all past and future presidents a legal shield from alleged misconduct.
“There are so many questions to ask about the Supreme Court’s decision on immunity, but after hearing about it, what would stop us from Biden “Because Trump was arrested and sent to Guantanamo?” Yarmuth posted on X. “Apparently not criminal law.”
Other members of Kentucky’s congressional delegation, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, either did not respond to requests for comment or declined to comment.
Trump was impeached by President Joe Biden after his first term, after which the 45th president widely — and falsely — claimed that the election had been stolen. Trump has been accused of using his presidential power to pressure election officials and state leaders to manipulate the results in his favor.
Trump and more than a dozen allies were criminally charged with election fraud in Fulton County, Georgia.
As part of that effort to cling to power, Trump’s supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, in an attempt to stop the official certification of the election results. Moments before rioters breached the building, Trump delivered a rousing speech that was seen by many as an incitement to the violence.
The former president, who is running for re-election against Biden, has long claimed he is immune from criminal prosecution for such alleged actions.
The Supreme Court’s decision likely means that Trump’s criminal trial on charges dating back to Jan. 6 will be postponed until after the November presidential election.
This story may be updated.
