Utah politicians divided after Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah politicians are divided over Monday’s Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity and what it means for the future of the country.

Utah House Minority Leader Angela Romero (D-Salt Lake City) made no bones about the fact that presidents are largely shielded from prosecution for their actions in office by a 6-3 vote.

“I think it makes the president look more like a king,” Romero told KSL TV in an interview. “It gives the president too much power.”

Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, who is also an attorney, called that logic “just plain wrong” and said people are putting way too much emphasis on it.

“I think it is a very pragmatic and rational framework that will serve us well as a country,” he said.

Weiler, a Republican, said the decision is about more than just former President Donald Trump, who is accused of plotting to overturn his 2020 election loss. He said it will have implications for presidents of all parties.

Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have broad immunity, reducing chances of Trump trial before election

GOP praises the move

Meanwhile, Utah Republican Party Chairman Rob Axson praised the Supreme Court’s decision.

“The Supreme Court has provided constitutional clarity and safeguards with its ruling on the official actions of a president,” Axson said in a statement. “This is a step in the right direction to ensure that the rule of law, rather than politically driven animosity, rules the day.”

But Romero, a Democrat, said the decision creates an imbalance between the different branches of government.

“I’m sure Richard Nixon would have loved that statement when he was president,” Romero said.

The House Minority Leader fears the Supreme Court directive will make it much harder to rein in an independent commander in chief.

“I’m really concerned about what could happen in the future — with future presidents — if they want to do what they want to do, there’s no accountability,” Romero said.