SCOTUS Shields King Donald I

Is this a blow to accountability and a boost for executive power, as the dissenters say? July 02, 2024 [WEBSITE]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE]( SCOTUS Shields King Donald I SEAN RING Dear Reader, In a landmark decision that will reverberate through the annals of American legal history, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has ruled that former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for official acts he undertook while in office. Ok, that was a bit of hyperbole. All Presidents are shielded from prosecution for their official acts while in office, as long as they’re reasonable. No, Presidents cannot suddenly drone kill everyone because no liberal in the X-verse understands this verdict. And the left is positively hysterical. The Ruling: A Shield for the Executive The SCOTUS ruling passed with a 6-3 majority, effectively granting former President Trump – and oevery other president to come – immunity from legal actions that stem from his conduct during his presidency. The majority opinion, penned by Chief Justice John Roberts, emphasizes the necessity of protecting the executive branch from legal entanglements that could hinder its ability to function effectively. In plain English, because the government has a monopoly on violence, Presidents' actions aren’t all that wholesome. So, they need protection from the legal system to do their dirty jobs. Roberts wrote: Taking into account these competing considerations, we conclude that the separation of powers principles explicated in our precedent necessitate at least a presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution for a President’s acts within the outer perimeter of his official responsibility. Such an immunity is required to safeguard the independence and effective functioning of the Executive Branch, and to enable the President to carry out his constitutional duties without undue caution. In essence, the Court argues that exposing a sitting or former president to legal jeopardy for actions taken as part of their official duties would set a dangerous precedent, one that could lead to a paralyzing flood of lawsuits and political vendettas. [Download This New Survival Guide Today!]( There is a “Crisis Survival Guide” that is available to all Rude Awakening readers today. This short 54-page document has everything you need to know to protect yourself and your family in times of crisis. Things like what foods to stock up on now, staying safe during periods of rioting and looting and more. Inside it breaks down all of the coming threats you face and how to prepare. [>> To see how to download your copy, click here now](. [Click Here To Learn More]( The Dissent: A Cry for Accountability The dissenting opinion, led by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, paints a starkly different picture. Sotomayor warns that the ruling effectively places the president above the law, a notion antithetical to the foundational principles of American democracy. Justice Sotomayer wrote: Looking beyond the fate of this particular prosecution, the long-term consequences of today’s decision are stark. The court effectively creates a law-free zone around the president, upsetting the status quo that has existed since the founding. This new official-acts immunity now ‘lies about like a loaded weapon’ for any president that wishes to place his own interests, his own political survival, or his own financial gain, above the interests of the nation. Then she descends to the hysterical: Let the President violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends. Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law. Except he’s not. This doesn’t cover unofficial or personal acts. But her dissent underscores a fundamental concern: the potential erosion of checks and balances. If the president cannot be held accountable for his actions, what mechanisms remain to prevent abuse of power? The Historical Context: Precedents and Deviations The concept of presidential immunity is not new. Historically, presidents have enjoyed a degree of legal protection for actions taken within the scope of their official duties. However, the extent of this immunity has always been a contentious issue. The landmark case of Nixon v. Fitzgerald (1982) established that a sitting president enjoys absolute immunity from civil damages for acts within the "outer perimeter" of official responsibilities. This ruling aimed to protect presidential decision-making from the threat of personal liability. However, the SCOTUS decision in Clinton v. Jones (1997) clarified that this immunity doesn’t extend to unofficial conduct or actions taken before assuming office. The Court ruled that a sitting president could be subject to civil litigation for unofficial acts, as evidenced by the lawsuit Paula Jones brought against Bill Clinton. The recent ruling on Trump's immunity represents an expansion of presidential protections. By extending immunity to a former president for official acts, the Court has effectively broadened the scope of executive privilege. The Implications: A Precarious Precedent This ruling has far-reaching implications for the American legal and political landscape. By shielding a former president from prosecution, SCOTUS has set a precedent that may embolden future presidents to act with impunity, knowing they are likely to be insulated from legal consequences. Critics argue that this decision undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in the judiciary. It raises uncomfortable questions about the balance of power and the ability of the legal system to hold the executive branch accountable. This ruling may also influence ongoing and future investigations into Trump's conduct. The decision could complicate efforts to pursue legal actions related to his presidency, from his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to his involvement in the January 6 Capitol incident. The Political Fallout: A Nation Divided Unsurprisingly, the SCOTUS ruling has ignited political controversy. Supporters of Trump hail the decision as a victory for executive authority and a validation of his presidency. They argue that the ruling protects the office of the president from politically motivated attacks and ensures the stability of the executive branch. Conversely, critics decry the decision as a dangerous abdication of judicial responsibility. They view it as a betrayal of democratic principles and a sign that the judiciary is increasingly politicized. This polarization is emblematic of the broader divisions that have come to define American politics in the Trump era. The ruling is likely to deepen these rifts, fueling further discord and mistrust among an already fractured populace. The Broader Implications: The Republic at a Crossroads The decision may raise questions about the nature of executive power, the role of the judiciary, and the mechanisms of accountability. In a republican system, the principle that no one is above the law is sacrosanct. Yet, this ruling appears to carve out an exception for the highest office in the land, potentially undermining this foundational tenet. As the nation grapples with the implications of this decision, it must confront a sobering reality: the delicate balance of power and accountability is at risk. The ruling highlights the need for robust checks and balances and a judiciary that remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the Constitution. Did the Left inadvertently create the monster they were hoping to corral? Moving Forward: A Call to Vigilance In the wake of the SCOTUS ruling, it’s imperative for the American public, lawmakers, and legal scholars to remain vigilant. The decision must be scrutinized, its implications debated, and its potential consequences addressed. Reforms may be necessary to ensure future presidents are accountable for their actions. Whether through legislative measures, constitutional amendments, or judicial clarification, steps must be taken to preserve the integrity of the executive branch while safeguarding democratic principles. Wrap Up Allegedly, the SCOTUS ruling on Trump's immunity is more than a legal decision; it’s a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle to define the limits of presidential power. As history has shown, democracy thrives on accountability, transparency, and the rule of law. It’s incumbent upon all stakeholders to uphold these principles and ensure that the American system of governance remains resilient in the face of challenges. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." But if there were no lawfare against Trump, would this decision even matter? All the best, Sean Ring Editor, Rude Awakening X (formerly Twitter): [@seaniechaos]( Rate this email Like Dislike Thanks for rating this content! Looks like something went wrong. Please try to rate again. In Case You Missed It… Bitcoin to $100,000? SEAN RING June 2024 Monthly Asset Class Report I was really disappointed when Jay Powell didn’t man up and cut rates this past month. Never mind, there’s a far bigger story brewing in the markets. Finally, after years of crypto bros drooling all over their keyboards and making asses of themselves online, I will claim Bitcoin will hit $100,000 in the next 18 months. That’s right. By January 2026 – I’m giving myself until December 31, 2025—Bitcoin will hit six figures. There will be no living with crypto bros. Michael Saylor, Saifedean Ammous, The Winklevosses… all of them will be unimaginably rich and smug as all hell. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other opportunities. Gold and silver will still rally to the moon. And what’s more, stocks and bonds look good right now. Why is that? I think it’s because the markets think Trump will be President in January 2025. There will be no war with Russia or China, and Israel will have to cut a peace deal. Without the war premium, most overcooked assets will cool off. But here’s the thing: if the real estate mogul-in-chief keeps Biden’s fiscal spigot open, and he almost certainly will, and the Fed chief is somewhat more accommodative with rates, we’ll have another everything rally during his term. Stocks look good now—the charts even like bonds. But imagine gold, silver, and crypto with lower rates and reckless spending! To the moon, as the kids say! We still target 6,000 for the SPX, $3,000 for gold, and $50 for silver. All of which can make you unfathomably rich. But a $100,000 Bitcoin and a $6,000 Ether? Hoowee, that’s some party the USG is throwing… right after they throw Bumblin’ Biden under the bus. To the charts! S&P 500 ***New Closing High of 5,460.48.*** Do you really want to call the top now? I certainly don’t. We’ve had new monthly closing highs for 9 of the last 12 months. Sure, we may have a pullback, which would be healthy. But a big sell-off? It’s not impossible, but there’s nothing on the charts to indicate it’s likely. Nasdaq Composite ***New Monthly Closing Record of 17,732.60.*** For the Nazzie, 8 of the last 12 months have resulted in new record-high closes. Market commentators are moaning about NVDA carrying the index and that the top 5 stocks are 21% of the index. My question is, “Who gives a toss?” If we’re ascending to new highs, thank the goddess Fortuna, count your money, and shut your pie-hole. I’m certainly not calling a top here. Russell 2000 (Small caps) The Russell’s strength confirms what we’re seeing in the major indexes. It’s not shooting the lights out. But it’s not driving off a cliff, either. I’m not a seller here… yet. The US 10-Year Yield This chart looks like it’s rolling over. Of course, after Biden’s disastrous performance in the debate last Thursday night, the 10-year popped up. I think this is temporary. The Fed will likely cut in July now (though I was wrong about the June cut). Even so, that’ll goose the markets as the USD follows the 10-year down. Dollar Index Here, I see higher highs and higher lows, which contradicts my story about the 10-year yield. If we break above 107, there’s nothing between there and 111.50. Above there, it’s 114. For those dollar bears – and there are compelling reasons to be one – my question is this: what’s the dollar going to fall against? The euro? Please. The sterling? Come on. The yen? You’re dreaming. The dollar can only fall if the currencies it trades against rise. What currencies would you rather own? The dollar is still the prettiest girl in the ugly parade. USG Bonds My entire bond story has changed. I don’t like them, and inflation is making a comeback, but the charts are telling me a different story. We’re up over a point from last month. But we’re either going to resume the downtrend or break out into a new uptrend. My money is on the uptrend. Once we break 99, I’m looking for 104. Investment Grade Bonds We had a bad last week, but the month was positive overall. If we clear 109, we can retest the 132 level. Scary, but possible. High Yield Bonds Junk continues its ascent. I’m looking at 79 as the next upside target. Real Estate It barely moved this month. It could be a bad omen. But there’s not much volatility here, either. If you’re betting on the downside, 70 is the next big target. Energy: West Texas Intermediate (Oil) I got this totally wrong. Oil had a great month. I’m still not convinced, though. The world economy mustn’t be doing that great if we’re still only breaking $80. Still, with this break upward here, the next big target is $100. But first, 88, then 92. [Ex-CIA Insider Releases Trump Election Bombshell]( Former advisor to the CIA, the Pentagon and the White House Jim Rickards just dropped [this Trump election bombshell](. For the sake of our country… I hope he’s wrong. But Jim correctly predicted the Great Recession of 2008, Trump’s 2016 election, and the Covid Crisis. [Click here to see the details]( because if he’s right, you need to prepare now. [Click Here To Learn More]( Base Metals: Copper I was much better on this one, though we haven’t hit 4.30 just yet. We’re in no man’s land right now. For copper to achieve new upside targets, we need to break $5.00 again. Until then, we’ve got big downside targets, first to 3.70. Precious Metals: Gold From two months ago (and remains relevant): $2,609 is our new target, but it may take a few months to get there. The yellow metal’s price detail shows a nice consolidation between 2300 and 2450. However, if we break below $2,300, we could head to $2,230 before restarting higher. Precious Metals: Silver Silver is still hanging around $30. I see a $35.65 price target to the upside. If we clear that, silver miner stocks will take off and we’ll see a move towards $50. Cryptos: Bitcoin Ok, when Bitcoin traded down to $16,000 and then caught its breath, I said we could see a $48,000 coin. I was right about that. Here’s another one: if BTC stays above $55,000, we’ll see that $100,000 coin the crypto bros have been talking about for so long. Cryptos: Ether Like BTC, even after a subpar month, ETH is starting its new ascent. The new upside target is $5,950. Crypto bros be celebrating soon. Trad Asset Class Summary This was an “everyone wins” month. The dollar was up 1.41%, but that didn’t stop stocks, commodities, and bonds from finishing up for the month. Stocks won bigly again, with the SPX up 3.35%. Commodities and bonds performed the statistically impossible feat of both finishing up 0.48%. Crypto Class Summary Big difference from last month, when almost everything was up. This month, only Monero, the most secretive coin, made any headway. The rest of the big coins stunk up the place, with Dogecoin, Elon’s fave, losing nearly 25%. Bitcoin was down nearly 11%, and Ethereum was down 11.5%. But it doesn’t matter… they will rise again soon. Wrap Up Get ready for the mother of all rallies. It’s coming, despite the naysayers. And a weaker dollar? Fine by us. But it’s got to get weaker than the Bud Light-like euro, sterling, and yen. Still, stocks, bonds, crypto, and commodities are all looking positive on the whole. There will be a time to get short. But it is not this day. Finally, let’s take a moment, courtesy of the Twitterverse: Have a wonderful week! All the best, Sean Ring Editor, Rude Awakening Twitter: [@seaniechaos]( ☰ ⊗ [ARCHIVE]( [ABOUT]( [Contact Us]( © 2024 Paradigm Press, LLC. 1001 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. By submitting your email address, you consent to Paradigm Press, LLC. delivering daily email issues and advertisements. To end your Rude Awakening e-mail subscription and associated external offers sent from Rude Awakening, feel free to [click here.]( Please note: the mailbox associated with this email address is not monitored, so do not reply to this message. We welcome comments or suggestions at feedback@rudeawakening.info. 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