“For all practical purposes, today's decision almost certainly means there are virtually no limits to what the president can do,” Biden said, adding that he pledged to “respect the limits of presidential authority.”
The president also noted that the decision means it is “highly unlikely” that Trump will be prosecuted before the November election, which he called “a terrible disservice to the people of this country.”
“So now the American people must do what the courts should have been prepared to do but will not,” Biden said. “The American people must decide whether Donald Trump's attack on our democracy on January 6 disqualifies him from holding the highest office in the land.”
While under fire for his poor debate performance, which has left Democrats questioning his staying power, Biden has continued to target Trump and try to make the choice clear to voters.
“The American people must decide whether Trump’s embrace of violence to maintain his power is acceptable,” he said. “Perhaps most importantly, the American people must decide whether they will once again entrust the presidency to Donald Trump — now, knowing that he will be bolder in doing what he wants, when he wants.”
The comments marked a rare rejection of the justice system for Biden, who has sought to distinguish his presidency by trying to restore faith in American institutions. But Biden — who as a senator long chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees Supreme Court nomination hearings — has also taken issue with some of the recent decisions, notably the Dobbs decision that withdrew Roe vs. Wade and declared that there is no constitutional right to abortion.
“Today’s decision continues the court’s assault in recent years on a wide range of long-standing legal principles in our country, from eroding voting and civil rights to denying a woman’s right to choose,” Biden said in his White House speech.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) accused Biden of improperly attacking the judiciary. “What we're seeing tonight is despicable and dangerous,” Johnson told Fox News. “The president has tried to undermine our justice system.”
Biden began his speech by discussing the potentially far-reaching implications the decision could have for the behavior of future presidents.
“The presidency is the most powerful office in the world,” he said. “It's an office that not only tests your judgment — perhaps more importantly, it's an office that can test your character. Because not only are you going to face moments when you need the courage to exercise the full power of the presidency, you're also going to face moments when you need the wisdom to respect the limits of the power of the presidency.”
At the end of his speech, Biden wanted to place the statement in the context of history, going back to the nation's founding.
“When our nation was founded, it was the character of George Washington, our first president, that defined the presidency. He believed that power was limited, not absolute, and that power always resides with the people — always,” Biden said. “Now, more than 200 years later, the Supreme Court’s decision means that it will once again depend on the character of the men and women who hold the presidency … because the law no longer will.”
He ended with a new sentence, saying, “May God bless you all. And may God help preserve our democracy.” Then he added, “May God protect our troops.”
He then left the room, ignoring questions shouted about the status of his campaign.
