Joe Biden calls for Jan 6 trial of Trump and warns SCOTUS immunity ruling sets a 'dangerous precedent'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden responded to the US Supreme Court ruling on Monday, July 1, which granted former President Donald Trump significant immunity against prosecution on charges of trying to overturn the 2020 election.

Speaking for about four and half minutes at a WH press conference the 81-year-old appeared ruddier than he did during the first presidential debate on June 27. While he did not stumble over his words or falter midsentence, Biden did use a teleprompter to read his remarks.

Joe Biden calls for Donald Trump's trial over January 6

While the incumbent had previously chosen to distance himself from the prosecutions of the former President, since the latter frequently accuses him of orchestrating them, Biden stated on Monday, "The man who sent that mob to the US Capitol is facing a potential criminal conviction for what happened that day and the American people deserve to have an answer in the courts before the upcoming election."

“The public has a right to know the answer about what happened on January 6 before they are asked to vote again this year,” he noted.

Biden said during the speech, "Now, because of today’s decision, that is highly, highly unlikely. It’s a terrible disservice to the people of this nation. So now the American people have to do what the court should have been willing to do, but will not. The American people have to render a judgment about Donald Trump’s behavior. The American people must decide whether Donald Trump’s assault on our democracy on January 6 makes them unfit for public office in the highest office in the land.”

Joe Biden accuses SCOTUS of providing the President with limitless power

The majority ruling of the Supreme Court granted Trump absolute immunity from prosecution for “official acts” during his presidency. Still, it did not dismiss the criminal case against him for allegedly breaking the law while challenging the results of the 2020 election. The case was sent back to lower federal courts to determine what acts count as official acts in connection to the charges.

Biden claimed that the ruling meant that “there are virtually no limits on what a president can do.”

“This a fundamentally new principle and it’s a dangerous precedent because the power of the office will no longer be constrained by the law,” he expressed, asserting, “I know I will respect the limits of the presidential powers, as I have for three and a half years. But any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law.”

“The American people must decide if they want to entrust the president once again — the presidency — to Donald Trump knowing he’ll be more emboldened to do whatever he pleases whenever he wants to do it.”

The President echoed dissenting Justice Sonia Sotomayor's remarks in his speech, concluding, "I concur with Justice Sotomayor’s dissent today. Here’s what she said, she said, ‘in every use of official power, the president is now a king above the law. With fear for our democracy, I dissent.’ So should the American people dissent. I dissent. May God bless you all and may God help preserve our democracy.”

Internet reacts to Biden's speech about Trump's immunity ruling

The President shared his speech over the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where social media users called him out.

"You need to respect the decision of the Supreme Court. Anything else would be a threat to democracy," wrote a user.

"Jeebs dude. Throw in the towel already," quipped another.

"Terrible remarks. Divisive and short sighted as usual," noted a third.

"Thank God for that teleprompter huh," mocked a fourth user.

"Calm down old man, it’s way past your bed time," chided a fifth.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.