WASHINGTON — Chairman Joe Biden called Monday’s Supreme Court decision granting Donald Trump some immunity in his election-interference case “a terrible service to the people of this country.”
“This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America. Each and every one 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 decision on presidential immunity is a fundamental change in practice,” Biden said.
Biden said the decision means there are now “virtually no limits to what the president can do,” a sentiment echoing the dissent of the court’s liberal justices.
“I disagree,” Biden said, concluding his brief address from the White House.
Given the nature of the decision, the immunity described in Trump’s case also applies to Biden and other future occupants of the Oval Office.
“The presidency is the most powerful office in the world. It’s an office that not only tests your judgment; perhaps more importantly, it’s an office that can test your character. Because not only are you going to encounter moments when you need the courage to exercise the full power of the presidency,” Biden said. “You’re also going to encounter moments when you need the wisdom to respect the limits of the presidency’s power.”
Biden also said the decision will delay the start of a trial in the case before the election, which he said will prevent voters from getting a settlement on the charges against Trump.
“The American people deserve answers in court before the upcoming election,” Biden said. “The public has a right to know the answers about what happened on January 6 before they vote again this year.”
Biden presented the lack of a trial as a shift from the courts to the ballot box.
“The American people must decide whether Donald Trump’s January 6 attack on our democracy disqualifies him from holding the highest office in the land. The American people must decide whether Trump’s embrace of violence to maintain his power is acceptable,” Biden said.
“Perhaps most importantly, the American people must decide whether they want to entrust the presidency to Donald Trump, knowing that he will then have more confidence to do what he wants,” Biden added.
After his comments, Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social that Biden was “trying to distract from his terrible campaign performance.”
In a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, the court rejected Trump’s claim of broad immunity, but said some of the actions most closely related to his constitutional duties as president are off-limits to prosecutors. The court ordered a lower court to sort out which of his actions qualify for immunity and which do not.
Special counsel Jack Smith has indicted Trump on charges related to the attempt to overturn the 2020 election. He has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.
Biden did not answer questions from the media gathered at the White House for his remarks, one of whom even called for him to drop out of the presidential race.
After a disappointing debate performance, Biden has faced calls from within his own party to step aside and let the party choose another nominee who might be better positioned to challenge Trump. Biden has so far resisted those calls.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
