President Biden has denounced the Supreme Court's decision to grant broad immunity from prosecution to his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, as a “dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law.”
“Today’s decision almost certainly means that there will be virtually no limits on what the president can do,” Biden said. “The power of the office will no longer be limited by law, including by the U.S. Supreme Court. The only limits will be those imposed by the president himself.”
Biden’s comments at the White House came hours after the court ruled 6-3 along ideological lines that former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution in core constitutional powers and are entitled to a presumption of immunity for official acts but not for acts in private. The court sent the case back to the presiding judge to decide which of Trump’s actions were part of his official duties and therefore protected from prosecution.
Biden said the court's decision “places virtually no limits on what the president can do,” effectively guaranteeing that Trump will not be tried for his role in an effort to obstruct the transfer of power.
“The American people must now do what the courts are willing to do, but they will not pass judgment on Donald Trump’s actions,” Biden said.
Biden, who has faced pressure from fellow Democrats to drop out of the race after his performance in last week’s debate, did not take questions. He spoke clearly and calmly in a statement.
But since the debate, he has held several events to reassure his supporters that he can do it. Last Friday, the day after the debate, Biden held a rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he tried to convince his supporters that he can still do it. And more importantly, he spent the weekend doing damage control, telling donors and others that he understood their concerns.
“I didn’t have a good night,” he told supporters gathered at New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s home Saturday night. “But I’m going to fight harder and I need you to join me in getting it done.”