WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is on the cusp of endorsing significant reforms aimed at overhauling the Supreme Court, with plans to introduce major changes including term limits for justices and a binding, enforceable code of ethics. This announcement, which is expected in the coming weeks, represents a notable shift for Biden, who has previously been cautious about reforming the Court.

According to three sources familiar with the matter, Biden has begun notifying select members of Congress about his proposed reforms. The changes under consideration are still being finalized, and the specifics of the proposals have not yet been disclosed publicly. A White House spokesperson has declined to comment on the details or the anticipated timeline for introducing the legislation.

During a virtual meeting with the Congressional Progressive Caucus on Saturday, Biden shared his intention to pursue these major reforms. A source with knowledge of the discussion reported that Biden has been consulting constitutional scholars for more than a month regarding these potential changes. Although he did not provide detailed policy specifics, he stressed the importance of collaboration and sought input on how to advance his proposals.

The Washington Post was the first to report on Biden’s plans. According to additional sources, Biden did not provide explicit details during the call but implied that the reforms would include term limits for justices and an updated ethical framework. The meeting occurred shortly before the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally.

In his remarks, Biden underscored the seriousness of the situation, stating, “It’s not hyperbole to suggest Trump is literally an existential threat, an existential threat to the very constitution of democracy we say we care about. And I mean if this guy wins, he’s not — and now, especially with that Supreme Court giving him the kind of breadth of — I don’t need to get into the Supreme Court right now — anyway, but I need your help,” according to a source who provided this excerpt.

Implementing changes to the Supreme Court would necessitate legislative action by Congress. However, given the current Republican control of the House and their satisfaction with the existing 6-3 conservative majority on the Court, significant reform remains unlikely in the immediate term.

Nonetheless, these proposed reforms could become a compelling issue for Biden on the campaign trail, offering a platform to address public discontent with the Supreme Court. If Democrats achieve a decisive victory in the upcoming election, there may be a viable opportunity to advance these changes. Democrats have mobilized against the Supreme Court in response to controversial decisions such as the reversal of federal abortion rights and recent reports of ethical concerns involving some justices.

In recent months, Senate Democrats have made efforts to pass legislation aimed at addressing Supreme Court ethics, though these attempts have faced substantial resistance from Republicans. In the House, Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Don Beyer, D-Va., have introduced bills proposing 18-year term limits for future justices. This approach seeks to create regular vacancies—every four-year presidential term—thereby mitigating the influence of partisan retirements. Khanna has expressed support for Biden’s evolving stance on the issue, stating, “Since then, we have been advocating for the president to champion this reform. It is a big step for him to now call for commonsense term limits for the Court and a judicial code of ethics.”

As President Biden prepares to unveil these proposals, the debate over the Supreme Court's role and its future will likely continue to be a central topic in both legislative and electoral discussions.