Joe Biden: Trump immunity is ‘dangerous’ for America

Joe Biden has warned that the Supreme Court ruling that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for official actions sets a “dangerous precedent”.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Mr Biden said the decision by the conservative justices on the court means the power of the US presidency will no longer be constrained by the law.

“This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America … no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States,” Mr Biden said, speaking hours after one of his campaign officials said the ruling makes it easier for Mr Trump “to pursue a path to dictatorship”.

The court on Monday delivered a major boost to Donald Trump who has sought to claim presidential immunity over his actions related to the Jan 6 riots.

“This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America. Each, each of us is equal before the law. No one, no one is above the law. Not even the president of the United States,” Mr Biden said.

With the decision on Monday, he said, “that fundamentally changed”.

Mr Biden, speaking in his first set of remarks at the White House since his shaky debate against Mr Trump last week, has been sharply critical of his election rival’s actions related to the Jan 6 riots.

“Now 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,” Mr Biden said, referring to Mr Trump being on trial for his role in spurring the riot.

Mr Biden said the public has a right to know what the results of that prosecution before the election in November. 

“Now, because of today’s decision, that is highly, highly unlikely. It’s a terrible disservice to the people in this nation,” he said.