Members of the Tennessee congressional delegation reacted to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling on Monday in Trump v. United States that former President Donald Trump is immune from federal prosecution for official acts he took while in office.
The nation’s highest court, however, also ruled that there is no immunity for unofficial acts.
Monday’s ruling by the court marks the first time in history that it has ever considered whether a president can be criminally liable for actions taken while in office.
Tennessee U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) were among the members of the state’s congressional delegation to applaud the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling upholds the rule of law in our country and rebukes Democrats’ blatant attempts to weaponize our legal system against Donald Trump. Time and time again, Americans have watched the Biden administration do everything in its power to take down President Trump, but this partisan attack will not stand in America,” Blackburn said in a statement.
Hagerty reacted to the ruling on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “The Constitution prevailed today against Joe Biden’s dangerous attempts to permanently weaken the American Presidency for his own political gain.”
“In a democracy, the American people should decide who is their president. Now they must render their judgment at the ballot box,” Hagerty added.
Six members of the Tennessee congressional delegation serving in the House also reacted to Monday’s ruling.
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) said, “Our nation’s president shouldn’t be subject to a weaponized legal system emblematic of a banana republic. The immunity ruling from SCOTUS sets a precedent that will protect our nation and its legal system for years to come.”
“Though this is not an end to the Left’s gross legal campaign against Trump, today’s ruling is a huge blow to lawfare,” Harshbarger added.
Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) also released a statement on the ruling, saying he was “glad” to see the Supreme Court “staying focused on the law and not playing along with the Democrats who are going after President Trump for anything they can before the election.”
“Presidents need some protection to conduct their official duties without continuously looking over their shoulder,” Burchett added.
Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03) called Monday’s ruling a “victory for equal justice, our Constitution, and the rule of law,” adding, “In our democratic republic, we settle our political differences at the ballot box – not through political lawfare.”
“I applaud the Supreme Court for upholding our Constitution and protecting our republic from the weaponization of our legal system. Today’s ruling protects the present and future of our constitutional republic,” Fleischmann said. “This is a great moment for America.”
Congressman John Rose (R-TN-06), who, along with Harshbarger, Fleischmann, and Congressman Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), was a part of an amicus brief filed by America First Legal in Trump v. United States, also applauded Monday’s ruling.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling affirms what I’ve said all along: the former president and all future presidents can only be held accountable for their official actions through elections and impeachment—not sham trials or weaponized political prosecutions,” Rose said.
Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN-08) also called the ruling a “victory for the rule of law and our Constitution.”
“This decision ensures presidents can carry out their responsibilities to the American people without political interference,” Kustoff added.
Tennessee’s sole Democrat representing the state in Congress, Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), did not applaud the Supreme Court for its ruling and instead branded the nation’s highest court as “ethically challenged.”
On Sunday, Cohen said, “Tomorrow, the ethically challenged Surprise Court will likely disappoint again. Partisanship will trump no one is above the law. Shame on 6 of THEM!”
Cohen concurred on Monday, “No surprise today.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Sen. Marsha Blackburn. Photo “Diana Harshbarger” by Diana Harshbarger. Photo “Tim Burchett” by Rep. Tim Burchett. Photo “Chuck Fleischmann” by Congressman Chuck Fleischmann. Photo “John Rose” by Congressman John Rose. Photo “David Kustoff” by Congressman David Kustoff. Photo “Andy Ogles” by Congressman Andy Ogles. Background Photo “United States Supreme Court” by Fine Photographics
I don’t see a Statement of Support here for the SCOTUS ruling from my own Congressman, Scott DesJarlais (R, 4th TN). What’s the matter? Is DesJarlais sick?