WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden called the Supreme Court’s decision Monday to grant some immunity to Donald Trump in his criminal election interference case “a terrible disservice to the people of this nation.”
“This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America. Each of us is equal before the law. No one, no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States. [With] today’s Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity, which has fundamentally changed for all practical purposes,” Biden said.
Biden said the ruling means there are now “virtually no limits to what the president can do,” a sentiment that echoes dissents written by liberal justices on the court.
“I disagree,” Biden said as he concluded his brief remarks at the White House.
Given the nature of the ruling, the immunity outlined in Trump’s case applies to Biden and other future occupants of the Oval Office.
“The presidency is the most powerful office in the world. It is a role that not only tests your judgment; perhaps even more important, it is a role that can test your character. Because you don’t just face moments when you need courage to exercise the full power of the presidency,” Biden said. “You also face times when you need wisdom to respect the limits of the power of the office of the presidency.”
Biden also said the decision would delay the start of the trial in the case before the election, which he said would deny voters a deal on the charges against Trump.
“The American people deserve to have an answer in the courts before the next election,” Biden said. “The public has a right to know the answer to what happened on January 6th before they are asked to vote again this year.”
Biden framed the lack of trial as a move from the courts to the voting booth.
“The American people must decide whether Donald Trump’s attack on our democracy on January 6 makes him unfit for public office in the highest office in the land. The American people must decide whether Trump’s embrace of violence to preserve his power is acceptable,” Biden said. he said.
“Perhaps most importantly, the American people must decide whether they want to entrust… the presidency to Donald Trump, now knowing that he will be more emboldened to do what he wants,” Biden added.
Following the comments, Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social that Biden wanted to “deviate from his horrible campaign performance.”
In a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, the court rejected Trump’s claim to broad immunity but said some of the actions closely related to his constitutional duties as president are beyond the reach of prosecutors. The court instructed a trial court to decide which of his actions qualify for immunity and which do not.
Special Counsel Jack Smith charged Trump with charges related to the effort to overturn the 2020 election. He has pleaded not guilty and denied all wrongdoing.
Biden did not respond to questions from members of the media gathered at the White House for his remarks, including one who shouted asking if he would withdraw from the presidential race.
After a disappointing debate performance, Biden faced calls from within his own party to step aside and let the party choose another candidate who might be better positioned to challenge Trump. So far, Biden has resisted these calls.
Jake Traylor contributed.
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com read the full story
