President Joe Biden in a forceful address from the White House, condemned the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity, criticizing it as a “grave injustice” and calling on voters to prevent former President Donald Trump from returning to office.
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling significantly narrows the case against Trump for his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election and maintain power, likely preventing a trial before the November election. Biden expressed deep concern about the ruling, warning it grants presidents unprecedented authority and undermines democratic principles.
“Today’s decision almost certainly means that there are virtually no limits on what a president can do,” Biden said. “It’s a dangerous precedent.”
Biden’s remarks, delivered via teleprompter without taking questions, also reflected on Trump’s actions related to the January 6th riot. He emphasized that the American public must decide if Trump’s behavior makes him unfit for office and whether they want to trust him with the presidency again.
“The American people must decide whether Donald Trump’s assault on our democracy on Jan. 6 makes him unfit for public office in the highest office in the land. The American people must decide if Trump’s embrace of violence, to preserve his power, is acceptable,” Biden asserted. “Perhaps most importantly, the American people must decide if they want to trust the … presidency to Donald Trump.”
This speech marks a significant shift for Biden, who had previously refrained from commenting on the developments in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump. However, the recent Supreme Court decision appears to have prompted him to take a more direct stance.
Trump’s legal team is expected to use Biden’s comments to argue for the dismissal of federal cases against Trump, claiming selective prosecution and potential jury bias.
The White House has not responded to requests for comment, but Biden’s statement suggests that the possibility of a trial before the election is now so unlikely that there is little reason for him to hold back.
Biden, who had been at the Camp David presidential retreat, returned to the White House earlier than scheduled to deliver these remarks.
