On Monday, the United States Supreme Court made a unanimous ruling that has caused quite a stir amongst political commentators and social media users alike. The decision, which struck down state efforts to keep former President Donald Trump off primary ballots, has sparked a wave of backlash and anger from those who view the Court as having betrayed democracy.
One of the most vocal critics of the ruling has been well-known commentator Keith Olbermann. Known for his passionate and sometimes controversial opinions on social media, Olbermann immediately took to Twitter to slam the Supreme Court for their decision. In a series of tweets, he accused the Court of being "inept at reading comprehension" and declared that it must be dissolved due to its supposed corruption and illegitimacy.
In response to conservative commentator Gunther Eagleman's dismissive comment to "cry more," Olbermann fired back with a bizarre insult, calling Eagleman a "fascist" and suggesting that he enjoys being "bathed" in urine. Undeterred by the overwhelming negative response to his statement, Olbermann continued to escalate the situation with more aggressive and inflammatory remarks.
It was not just Olbermann who expressed outrage over the Court's decision. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who played a key role in trying to keep Trump off the ballot in her state, also shared her disappointment on Twitter. She stated that she was "disappointed" in the decision and believed that states should have the authority to bar candidates who have violated their oath of office.
The Supreme Court has betrayed democracy. Its members including Jackson, Kagan and Sotomayor have proved themselves inept at reading comprehension. And collectively the "court" has shown itself to be corrupt and illegitimate.
It must be dissolved.
— Keith Olbermann⌚️ (@KeithOlbermann) March 4, 2024
Even hosts on major news networks such as CNN and MSNBC weighed in on the ruling, with Dana Bash describing it as "unfortunate." However, she also acknowledged that the Court's decision was in line with the intentions of the founders, who did not want individual states to have the power to unilaterally exclude candidates from running for office.
The Supreme Court's decision was in response to a case brought forward by Trump, who argued that states have no authority to block him from their primary ballots as he is a former president and therefore entitled to "presidential immunity." The Court determined that while states do have the right to bar presidential candidates from ballot access in certain circumstances, they do not have the power to do so with retroactive effect.
Some legal experts have praised the Court's decision as upholding their interpretation of the Constitution and setting a precedent for future cases involving candidates who have violated their oath of office. Others, however, have criticized the Court for potentially setting a dangerous precedent that could allow unqualified or unsavory individuals to run for office without any consequences.
The Supreme Court has betrayed democracy. Its members including Jackson, Kagan and Sotomayor have proved themselves inept at reading comprehension. And collectively the "court" has shown itself to be corrupt and illegitimate.
It must be dissolved.
— Keith Olbermann⌚️ (@KeithOlbermann) March 4, 2024
The fallout from the Supreme Court's decision is likely to continue for some time, with many political commentators, lawmakers, and concerned citizens voicing their opinions on the matter. The ruling has sparked debate about the role of the Court and the balance of power between states and the federal government. As the country moves towards another election cycle, the decision may have a significant impact on the future of American politics.
Despite the strong emotions and reactions to the ruling, the Supreme Court's decision ultimately stands, and Trump will be allowed to appear on primary ballots in the states that previously attempted to keep him off. It is yet to be seen how this decision will impact the upcoming primaries and the 2024 presidential election. However, for now, the country must abide by the Court's ruling and move forward in accordance with its decision.