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President Joe Biden on Monday night weighed in on the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity.
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Biden said the Supreme Court’s decision has “fundamentally changed” the country.
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Biden cited Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissent and warned of the risks the ruling poses to democracy.
President Joe Biden warned Monday that the Supreme Court’s decision to grant presidents immunity from criminal prosecution for “official acts” will fundamentally change the country.
“This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America — every one of us is equal before the law. No one is above the law, not even the president of the United States,” Biden said, speaking from Cross Hall at the White House. “Today’s Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity — that was fundamentally changing for all practical purposes. Today’s decision means almost certainly that there are virtually no limits to what the president can do.”
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling was a partial but substantial victory for former President Donald Trump. It ruled that courts may not inquire into the president’s motives in determining whether an act was official or unofficial, and all official acts are granted absolute immunity.
“This is a fundamentally new principle, and it sets a dangerous precedent because the power of the office will no longer be limited by law, including even the Supreme Court of the United States,” Biden said hours after the decision was made. “The only limitations will be imposed by the president himself.”
Before Biden left the stage, he quoted Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s scathing dissent, which held that the immunity rule makes the president “a king above the law,” adding solemnly, “May God help us preserve our democracy.”
Representatives for the Biden administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
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