US President Joe Biden criticised the Supreme Court yesterday, Monday, for its ruling regarding the immunity of his predecessor, Donald Trump, warning that it sets a dangerous legal precedent.
The US Supreme Court ruled that Trump cannot be prosecuted for actions falling within his constitutional powers as president, but only for private actions.
This is a landmark ruling, as it recognises a form of presidential immunity for the first time. Consequently, it is considered unlikely that Trump will be tried before the November presidential election for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.
The Republican magnate, who is seeking a return to the White House, expressed his satisfaction, calling it a “great victory” for democracy.
A few hours later, President Joe Biden appeared particularly critical. “This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America. Each of us is equal before the law. No one — no one — is above the law, not even the president of the United States,” he stressed. Following Monday’s ruling, he added, “this has fundamentally changed.”
The 81-year-old Democratic president, who is seeking re-election, has been highly critical of his Republican predecessor – and his opponent once again in the race for the White House – regarding his actions after their previous electoral contest in 2020, which led to the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
“The man who sent that mob to the US Capitol is facing potential criminal conviction for what happened that day. The American people deserve to have an answer in the courts before the upcoming election,” Joe Biden said, reminding that Trump is accused of inciting the invasion of his supporters into the Capitol.
After the Supreme Court’s ruling, this is “highly, highly unlikely,” the US president admitted.
This was the first public statement by the 81-year-old Biden in the White House following his debate with Trump last week, which sparked intense concern among Democrats. (incyprus)
