Trump handed free rein

With the help of his “packed” U.S. Supreme Court and his lawyers, former President Donald Trump has changed the Constitution to give a president free rein to act in any way, regardless of his motivation (“Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have broad immunity, dimming chance of a pre-election Trump trial,” July 1). In that sense, I guess, Trump can claim to have been one of the greatest presidents ever.

For example, President Trump was, at least according to this decision, within his presidential rights to withhold arms from Ukraine, as he did, on condition that Ukraine get him “dirt” on his political opponent Joe Biden.

And, apparently, he was within his presidential rights to question that he lost the 2020 election, which he did lose. This decision would have given legitimacy to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s argument at the time of Congressional certification of the election that there were sufficient concerns raised by President Trump to delay the certification.

The Supreme Court’s decision-making is undermined by its ideology — unless you believe a president is truly free to do anything while in office regardless of his or her motivation. Think about that when you go to vote this November.

— Joseph Costa, Baltimore

Court sets up a monarchy

In her passionate dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed a president to become a “king above the law” (“Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have broad immunity, dimming chance of a pre-election Trump trial,” July 1). If Donald Trump is elected this fall, Jan. 20, 2025 won’t be an inauguration; it’ll be a coronation.

— Herb Cromwell, Catonsville

Democrats overreact to immunity decision

As predicted, our Democratic politicians responded to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity in a short-sighted manner (“Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have broad immunity; Maryland politicians react,” July 1).

They incorrectly view the ruling only as it affects former President Donald Trump. The Supreme Court makes it clear that a president is immune from criminal and civil prosecution if they act in an official capability. The court did not say that Trump could not be charged with a crime but insisted that his actions be judged in that context. If the action was within the president’s legal authority, immunity attaches.

The Supreme Court left it up to the lower courts to decide if Trump was acting in his authority as president or as a private citizen.

— Allen Holzman, Pikesville

Ordering up Ga. votes: Official or unofficial act?

By pressuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” 11,780 votes on Jan. 2, 2024, was then-President Donald Trump acting officially or unofficially (“After Supreme Court immunity ruling, Biden draws sharp contrast with Trump on obeying rule of law,” July 1)? And by summoning and inciting the Jan. 6 mob that assaulted the U.S. Capitol, was Trump acting officially or unofficially? Both were amply documented, both were observed by We the People, and for both Trump must be held accountable in a court of law.

— Grenville B. Whitman, Rock Hall

Supreme Court decision raises stakes in election

Monday’s Supreme Court decision about presidential immunity makes the stakes in the upcoming election even higher (“Should Joe Biden be running for reelection?” June 28). I now believe that any Democrat who opposes Donald Trump in November, including President Joe Biden, should be strongly supported and deserves our vote.

Although I am concerned that Biden will experience the inevitable effects of aging, I am reassured that he will be surrounded by competent and responsible people in and out of office who will help guide his decision-making. I cannot say the same about Trump. If Biden is on the ballot, I will support him despite my misgivings. The threat he poses far outweighs my concerns about Biden.

— Howard Nixon, Catonsville

A shameful decision on immunity

After Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity, I am ashamed to call myself an American (“What to know about the Supreme Court immunity ruling in Trump’s 2020 election interference case,” July 1).

— N. L. Bruggman, Jarrettsville

We dissent

We will work and push back and create and vote and love until we have no strength left. Donald Trump will be defeated Nov. 5 in the presidential election. So will his GOP enablers. We will save democracy.

— Mel Tansill, Catonsville