During a June 5 appearance on ABC’s “The View,” former President Bill Clinton voiced serious concerns about the Supreme Court’s effectiveness in checking presidential power, warning that current institutional safeguards might not last until the next midterm elections.
Clinton was joined by author James Patterson to promote their joint political thriller “The First Gentleman,” but the conversation quickly shifted to today’s political climate and how the current administration interacts with the judicial branch.
Co-host Sunny Hostin emphasized the importance of focusing on the future during the discussion with Clinton. She remarked that, in her opinion, Donald Trump is attempting to undermine foundational institutions in the country, citing his disputes with American universities, immigration policies, and contentious interactions with the judiciary. Hostin then asked Clinton whether he was confident that the courts would remain stable and inquired about his greatest concerns regarding Trump’s current actions.
Clinton admitted his main worry about President Donald Trump’s potential second term. He explained that his greatest fear is the possibility of the courts failing to function effectively before the midterm elections.
The former president referenced specific incidents of the administration disregarding judicial rulings, highlighting the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a Maryland father deported to El Salvador despite a 2019 order from a U.S. immigration judge preventing his removal. The Supreme Court determined that the deportation violated the court’s ruling and ordered officials to assist in returning Garcia to the United States. The administration resisted, but eventually brought Garcia back to the U.S. He finally had his day in court and pleaded not guilty to charges that he allegedly participated in a years-long conspiracy to traffic undocumented migrants into the country. He was arraigned Friday, June 13, at the federal courthouse in Nashville, Tennessee.
In April, a Maryland judge ordered him to be returned to the United States, but the Justice Department waited several months before bringing him back just a few days ago to face prosecution.
Clinton pointed out that in spite of this Supreme Court decision, the administration stalled and resisted his return, leaving Garcia imprisoned in El Salvador. He stressed that all Americans, regardless of political views, should be troubled by this consistent pattern of ignoring court orders.
Clinton offered a somewhat skeptical view of how the Supreme Court might behave in the future, suggesting that if Democrats take back the White House in the next election, the court would suddenly shift its stance. He predicted the court would have what he called a “hallelujah moment,” rediscovering constitutional principles and enforcing limits on presidential authority.
Despite his worries about the current state of the judiciary, Clinton reaffirmed his confidence in the Constitution’s safeguards for all public officials. He reminded viewers that the Constitution was designed to prevent any form of royal rule and ensure that no leader, Republican or Democrat, is above accountability.
Clinton also spoke about Donald Trump’s implementation of policies from Project 2025, a policy agenda from the Heritage Foundation that Trump denied knowing during his campaign. Clinton noted that Trump has pursued many parts of the agenda despite his public disavowal of it.
During the interview, Clinton also came to former President Joe Biden’s defense amidst recent reports questioning Biden’s mental sharpness during the 2024 election season and near the end of his presidency. Clinton said that in his dealings with Biden, he always found him clear-minded and capable in his decision-making.
However, Clinton did criticize some decisions made by Biden’s advisers, particularly letting the president embark on an intense overseas travel schedule before the June 2024 CNN debate with Trump. He expressed confusion over the choice to have an 80-year-old undertake such a strenuous timetable ahead of a critical event.
Discussion also covered Clinton’s personal political ambitions—specifically, his hope to serve as first gentleman if Hillary Clinton had won the 2016 election. He described this as the only political job he ever truly wanted but never had the opportunity to hold.
Clinton and Patterson also raised alarms about recent book bans and censorship efforts, criticizing the removal of important literary works from schools and government facilities. They singled out the removal of Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” from the Naval Academy’s library, a decision Clinton found especially concerning since only adult students would have access to the book there.
Throughout the interview, Clinton maintained a generally hopeful tone despite his anxieties regarding the nation’s current political situation. He admitted to worrying about institutional stability in the near term, but expressed confidence that, over time, the country would regain its commitment to constitutional accountability.