The president’s speech comes after the Supreme Courtroom’s 6–3 ruling that presidents are immune from legal prosecution for “official acts.”
WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden addressed the nation on July 1 to precise his disappointment with the Supreme Courtroom’s ruling that presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for official acts, claiming that it “undermines the rule of legislation of this nation.”
“This nation was based on the precept that there are not any kings in America,” President Biden stated, talking from the Cross Corridor on the White Home.
“Every of us is equal earlier than the legislation. Nobody, nobody is above the legislation, not even the president of the USA. However [with] at the moment’s Supreme Courtroom choice on presidential immunity, that essentially modified,” he charged.
President Biden went on to say that the Supreme Courtroom’s choice “nearly actually means the there are nearly no limits to what the president can do,” arguing that he’s not being constrained by the legislation, even together with the Supreme Courtroom.
“The one limits might be self imposed by the president alone.”
The incumbent additionally centered on what occurred on the Capitol Constructing on Jan. 6, 2021. “I believe it’s honest to say [it] is likely one of the darkest days within the historical past of America,” he stated.
“The American individuals need to have a solution within the courts earlier than the upcoming election,” he stated. “Now, due to at the moment’s choice, that’s extremely, extremely unlikely.”
‘Official Acts’
The president’s speech was made hours after the Supreme Courtroom’s 6–3 ruling that presidents are immune from legal prosecution for finishing up “official acts.” The choice is predicted to postpone former President Trump’s trial within the federal election case in Washington.
The Supreme Courtroom held that: “Below our constitutional construction of separated powers, the character of Presidential energy entitles a former President to absolute immunity from legal prosecution for actions inside his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority. And he’s entitled to a minimum of presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There isn’t any immunity for unofficial acts.”
The choice sends particular counsel Jack Smith’s election case towards former President Trump again to the district court docket for additional consideration. Decide Tanya Chutkan will now have to find out whether or not a number of of President Trump’s actions within the indictment had been official or unofficial.
The ruling was a partial victory for former President Trump, who sought a broader type of immunity than the justices finally granted. He had requested the court docket to rule that he loved immunity from legal prosecution for his official acts except Congress had impeached and convicted him for these acts.
“Large win for our Structure and democracy. Proud to be an American!” former President Trump responded to the choice on his social media platform, TruthSocial, utilizing all capital letters.
Chief Justice John Roberts penned the bulk opinion, which was joined in full by Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh. Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined a part of the opinion whereas issuing a concurrence of her personal.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor penned a dissent, which was joined by Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan. Justice Jackson additionally issued a dissent.
Sam Dorman contributed to this report.
