Hakeem Jeffries Blames Supreme Court for Enabling Trump to “Act Like a King”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) sharply criticized the Supreme Court on Monday during an interview on CNN’s The Situation Room, claiming that the justices had “enabled Donald Trump to behave like a king.” He called the Court’s recent actions “shameful” and said they had weakened accountability for presidential conduct.

Jeffries Warns of Delayed Accountability

Jeffries cautioned those aligned with Trump, saying, “For people doing the bidding of the Trump administration or engaging in its schemes, the statute of limitations is five years.”

He stressed that while Trump and his administration may eventually be gone, accountability could still come later. “That process begins now,” he said, “but it won’t be complete until we have an independent Department of Justice and a Democratic-led House of Representatives.”

Criticism of the Supreme Court’s Ruling

Jeffries accused the conservative justices of eroding the nation’s legal safeguards by extending broad presidential immunity in their recent ruling. The Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. United States, issued earlier this year, held that a president enjoys immunity for official acts but not for private conduct.

To Jeffries, the ruling went too far. “They’ve effectively allowed Donald Trump to act like a king,” he said. “The framers of the Constitution didn’t want a monarchy. Shame on the Supreme Court for what they’ve done to this country.”

Defending the Department of Justice

Jeffries also defended the Department of Justice, saying it remains one of the country’s most important institutions. “Donald Trump and these extremists have been destroying its integrity,” he said, urging voters to support efforts to restore independence within the DOJ.

Balancing Legal Reality and Political Rhetoric

While Jeffries’ remarks reflect strong political criticism, the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling did not grant a “blanket” protection from prosecution. It established that presidents are shielded for core constitutional duties but not for personal or campaign-related actions.

Still, Jeffries’ comments underscore the growing tension between Congress, the courts, and the executive branch as Trump seeks to return to the White House.