U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-9) this morning hammered the finding by the U.S. Supreme Court that former Presidents enjoy absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for so-called officials acts.

“This decision by the Supreme Court today is a travesty and perhaps the most dangerous judicial opinion from our Supreme Court in generations,” said Pascrell. “By smooth and naive legalese, these partisan justices have created a framework for a President to commit any acts he or she chooses. In her dissent, Justice Sotomayor says that the Court has made the President ‘a king above the law.’ I share her alarm. This opinion is nothing less than a blueprint for a lawless dictator to take root in the Oval Office of the White House. Americans must wake up: American democracy is in even graver danger today. Donald Trump once said he could shoot someone and get away with it. Today’s decision by America’s highest courts suggests that he could.”