Former President Bill Clinton expressed significant concern about the Supreme Court’s willingness to enforce constitutional limits on presidential power during his June 5, 2025 appearance on ABC’s “The View”, warning that the courts may not maintain their independence until the next midterm elections.
Clinton appeared alongside author James Patterson to promote their new political thriller “The First Gentleman,” but the conversation quickly turned to contemporary politics and the Trump administration’s approach to federal institutions. When asked by co-host Sunny Hostin about his confidence in the courts’ ability to maintain checks and balances, Clinton indicated that his primary worry was “that the courts won’t hold until we have the midterm elections.”
The former president referenced the specific case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who was deported to an El Salvadorian prison after what the White House called an administrative error. Clinton noted that despite the Supreme Court ordering the administration to facilitate Garcia’s return, President Donald Trump declared he could but would not comply with the ruling.
Clinton described how the administration manufactured evidence against Garcia, creating a picture suggesting he had MS-13 gang affiliations, which he did not possess. The former president emphasized that Garcia remains incarcerated in El Salvador despite the court’s intervention, highlighting what he sees as the administration’s disregard for judicial authority.
Addressing the broader implications of the current political climate, Clinton warned viewers that they should be concerned about these developments regardless of their political affiliations. He expressed particular alarm about what he characterized as the dismantling of foundational American institutions through intimidation of law firms, universities, and media outlets, along with controversial deportation practices and threats against federal judges.
The 42nd president made a prediction about potential future political changes, suggesting that if Democrats reclaim the White House in upcoming elections, there would be a dramatic shift in the Supreme Court’s approach to constitutional interpretation. Clinton indicated that he suspects the Court would experience a “hallelujah moment” and rediscover constitutional principles, the Bill of Rights, and appropriate governmental limits.
Clinton clarified that he would welcome such a development because he believes all government officials should operate within established guardrails. He emphasized that the Constitution’s fundamental purpose was to eliminate royal governance and unaccountable leadership, ensuring that neither Democrats nor Republicans can function without proper accountability mechanisms.
During the interview, Clinton also addressed recent reports about former President Joe Biden’s mental acuity, defending his former colleague’s cognitive abilities. Clinton stated that whenever he interacted with Biden, his mind was clear, his judgment was sound, and he remained well-informed on important matters. However, Clinton questioned the wisdom of Biden’s extensive travel schedule in the days leading up to the June 2024 CNN debate with Trump, noting that Biden was 80 years old at the time.
The former president criticized what he sees as the current administration’s implementation of Project 2025 policies, despite Trump’s campaign trail disavowals of the Heritage Foundation’s policy handbook. Clinton suggested that Trump’s actions regarding immigration, tariffs, and other policies have exceeded what many Americans expected when they voted.
Clinton and Patterson also discussed their collaborative writing process and their close personal relationship during the interview. Patterson shared an anecdote about Clinton appearing on video calls with his grandchildren while wearing a tiger costume, illustrating the former president’s more casual, grandfatherly side away from politics.
The conversation also touched on book banning controversies, with both authors criticizing recent removals of literature from school districts and federal institutions. Clinton specifically referenced the removal of Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” from the U.S. Naval Academy’s library, taking the decision personally due to his friendship with the late author and her role reading at his 1993 inaugural ceremony.
Clinton concluded his remarks by urging Americans to focus more on future possibilities rather than dwelling on past political controversies, though he maintained his concerns about the current trajectory of American democratic institutions and the need for constitutional accountability at all levels of government.
