East Hartford, CT – Today, Congressman John Larson(CT-01) released the following statement after the Supreme Court voted to shield former President Donald Trump from criminal prosecution for certain acts as he faces charges for his attempt to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election.
“Today’s decision, on top of this Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, will make this year’s election the most urgent and critical for the future of our democracy,” said Larson. “After he lost the 2020 Election, Donald Trump incited an insurrection on the United States Capitol to dismantle our country’s peaceful transfer of power and change the outcome of a free and fair election. Five police officers lost their lives on January 6th and more than 140 were injured defending our democracy that day. The Supreme Court’s outrageous ruling underscores what former President Trump believes – that he is above the law. I agree with Justice Sotomayor that by placing presidents above the law, the damage has been done. How far will a future president be able to go to hold onto power? This ruling only further emboldens Trump’s authoritarian rhetoric – that he will be a ‘dictator on day one’ if he wins and there will be a ‘bloodbath’ if he loses. The impact of this decision is so severe that all Americans must take his commitments and actions seriously. This is bigger than any presidential election. This is the future of American democracy.”