Joe Biden has said the landmark decision that former presidents have immunity violates the principle “there are no kings in America” and means they can now “ignore the law.”
He spoke after the United States Supreme Court decided that there is absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts while in office, but not for non-officers.
“Each of us is equal before the law. No one is above the law, not even the president of the United States,” Biden said Monday night.
The ruling is a victory for Donald Triumphaccused of trying to illegally reverse his 2020 election loss.
“I know I will respect the limits of presidential power as I have for these three and a half years.” mr biden saying.
“But any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law.”
The Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of Trump’s case, instead sending it back to a lower court to decide how to apply the ruling.
He must now decide whether Trump acted officially or privately regarding the charges.
The decision is a major victory for Trump’s legal case over the 2020 election. Photo: Reuters
President Biden said Monday’s ruling also means it is now “very unlikely” that the former president will go to trial before American voters again have their say in four months.
“It’s a terrible disservice to the people of this nation,” he said.
If Trump is president again in November, he could use his powers to dismiss the charges against him.
He previously celebrated the ruling, posting online: “GREAT VICTORY FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!”
The three liberal justices disagreed with the majority opinion and Sonia Sotomayor warned that it was a dangerous step for democracy.
He said it was a “mockery” of the principle that “no man is above the law.”
“In every use of official power, the president is now a king above the law,” he wrote.
Chief Justice John Roberts insisted that was not true, but said they have “at least presumptive immunity from prosecution” for official acts.
The decision was passed with the help of the three conservative judges Trump appointed when he was president.
Biden vs. Trump: Highlights from the TV debate
Mr. Biden’s comments follow his own. Poor performance in the television debate with Trump last week.a performance that sparked speculation that Democrats might try to replace him as their candidate.
The 81-year-old’s comments were his first from the White House since then, and he gave a much more confident and coherent performance, even sporting a glowing tan.
However, Biden was reading into an autocue, something he didn’t have the benefit of during his faltering showdown with Trump.
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Biden admitted last week that his debating skills were not what they once were, but said what mattered were his substance and his actions.
His family also has urged him to continue.
Democratic insiders spoke of panic after the television debacle, but any attempt to force him to retire against his will is extremely unlikely, with the only realistic route being for him to resign himself.
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