President Joe Biden has strongly condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which grants former and future presidents immunity from prosecution for official acts. He criticized the decision as a “dangerous precedent,” expressing concern that it could empower the executive office and potentially former President Donald Trump to act without accountability.
Biden stated, “The court has done a terrible disservice to the people of this nation by effectively blocking any chance that Trump could face trial for his actions related to the January 6 riot.” His remarks came in response to the Supreme Court’s Monday ruling, where a 6-3 majority determined that Trump could claim immunity from criminal prosecution for some actions taken during his presidency, further delaying his federal election subversion trial concerning January 6.
Quoting liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissent, Biden agreed with her assertion that the decision implies the President is “now a king above the law,” posing a grave threat to democracy. “I dissent,” Biden echoed, emphasizing that no one, including the President of the United States, is above the law.
During his live address from the White House, Biden reiterated, “Each of us is equal before the law. With today’s Supreme Court decision, presidential immunity has fundamentally changed, suggesting there are virtually no limits on what the president can do.”
Biden once again held Trump accountable for the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, arguing that the American people deserve judicial answers before the upcoming November election. “It’s a dangerous precedent because the power of the office will no longer be constrained by the law, even including the Supreme Court of the United States,” he warned.
Biden’s criticism extended to the broader implications of the Supreme Court’s decision, which he believes undermines the rule of law in the country. He linked this ruling to a series of recent Supreme Court actions, which he claims have attacked long-established legal principles, including voting rights, civil rights, and women’s rights.
“The American people must decide whether Trump’s assault on January 6 makes him unfit for public office,” Biden emphasized. He urged voters to consider whether they want to entrust the presidency to Trump again, especially now that he might feel emboldened to act without restraint. “The American people must decide if they want to give Donald Trump another term, knowing he will be more empowered to do whatever he pleases,” Biden concluded.