In a heartfelt speech on July 1, President Joe Biden emphasized the need to respect the traditional limits of presidential power. He stressed the importance of voters making informed decisions to choose a leader who upholds the office with integrity.
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President Biden is deeply concerned about the future of our democracy.
Speaking on July 1, the president addressed the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity, which now prevents U.S. presidents from being prosecuted for any official acts done during their tenure.
This case originated from discussions on whether former President Donald Trump could be tried for four felony counts related to efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
The court’s ruling stated, “The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official. But under our system of separated powers, the President may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts.”
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In a strong dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that the court’s new stance might elevate the president to an untouchable status, fundamentally altering the relationship between the president and the citizens.
“When a president uses his official powers, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution,” wrote Sotomayor. “Orders the Navy’s SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.”
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President Biden reiterated his commitment to respecting the boundaries of presidential power, urging voters to thoughtfully consider their choices come November.
“Our nation was built on the idea that there are no kings in America,” Biden stated, emphasizing that the president doesn’t possess absolute power. “We are all equal under the law. No one is above the law, not even the president of the United States,” he declared.
“The Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity has altered that foundational principle,” Biden added. “Practically speaking, today’s decision suggests that there are very few limits on what a president can do.”
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Biden regards this decision as dangerous because it potentially leaves the presidential office unrestrained by the law, including by the Supreme Court.
Reflecting on the tragic events of January 6, 2021, when supporters of Trump stormed the Capitol, Biden highlighted the critical need for accountability. Trump had falsely claimed election fraud, leading to the violent insurrection aimed at halting the certification of the 2020 election results.
“Now, the person who incited that mob to storm the U.S. Capitol may face criminal charges for his actions that day,” Biden said, referencing the legal proceedings Trump might face. “Americans deserve clarity from the courts before the upcoming election,
