Biden says Supreme Court immunity ruling ‘undermines rule of law’

President Biden called the Supreme Court’s decision to grant his predecessor, Republican Donald Trump, broad immunity from prosecution “a dangerous precedent” that “undermines the rule of law.”

“Today’s decision means almost certainly that there will be virtually no limits on what the president can do,” Biden said. “The power of the office will no longer be limited by law, not even by the Supreme Court of the United States. The only limits will be imposed by the president himself.”

Biden’s comments from the White House came hours after the court’s 6-3 decision along ideological lines that a former president has absolute immunity from his core constitutional powers — and is entitled to a presumption of immunity for his official acts, but not immunity for unofficial acts. The court sent the case back to the judge to determine which, if any, of Trump’s acts were part of his official duties and thus immune from prosecution.

Biden said the court’s decision “places virtually no limitations on what a president can do” and virtually ensures that Trump will not face trial for his role in trying to undermine the transfer of power.

“Now the American people will have to do what the court should have been prepared to do, but it will not pass judgment on the conduct of Donald Trump,” Biden said.

Biden, who is under pressure from his Democratic colleagues to withdraw from the race after his performance in last week’s presidential debate, took no questions. He spoke clearly and calmly during the statement.

But since that debate, he’s held multiple events in hopes of convincing his supporters that he can do the job. Last Friday, the day after the debate, Biden held a rally in Raleigh, N.C., where he tried to convince his supporters that he could still do the job. And, more importantly, he spent the weekend doing damage control, telling donors and others that he understood their concerns.

“I didn’t have a great night,” he told supporters gathered outside the home of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Saturday night. “But I’m going to fight harder and I need you to make it happen.”

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