The Sunday Subject – July 7, 2024
The Supreme Court granted Donald Trump partial immunity from criminal prosecution for his attempt to overturn the 2020 election.
In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that presidents are entitled to “at least presumptive immunity” for official acts. In other words, presidents are now broadly immune from criminal prosecution whenever they use the powers of their office, even if they use those powers to commit what would otherwise be crimes. Biden said the verdict set a “dangerous precedent” and undermined the “rule of law,” warning that it would embolden Trump “to do whatever he pleases.”
Keir Starmer became prime minister of the UK after the Labor Party’s landslide victory in Britain’s general election.
The Conservative Party suffered heavy losses, losing seats to Labor and the right-wing populist Reform UK Party. Several prominent Conservative MPs their seats, including Penny Mordaunt, formerly regarded as a possible party leader, Gillian Keegan, the education secretary, and Grant Shapps, the defense secretary. The Liberal Democrats also made gains, winning 71 seats – its best showing in a century – and regaining its stature as the third largest party in Parliament. In Scotland, the Scottish National Party suffered heavy losses to Labor.
Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist, won Iran’s presidential election.
The former health minister won 16.5 million votes, about three million more than Saeed Jalili, a hardliner. Pezeshkian supports improving relations with the West – including reviving the nuclear deal – and easing enforcement of the country’s mandatory headscarf law. With under 50% of the electorate turning out to vote, Iranians still sent the message that they have lost confidence in the system.
