President Biden called a White House press conference to address the Supreme Court’s decision to grant immunity to Donald Trump and delivered a speech that analysts say attempted to reframe the election campaign and turn its focus toward January 6. Speaking from a teleprompter, the President said that his predecessor “sent a violent mob” to Capitol Hill and caused “one of the darkest days in the history of America.”
Some commentators suggested that the President looked tired and mumbled his words, adding to the criticism he faced after his first Presidential debate against Donald Trump.
Following the debate, analysts – including Democrats – called for Biden to step down, with some reports indicating that donors had withdrawn funding or even asked for refunds. Biden appeared to fight back at a subsequent rally, saying he realizes he doesn’t speak as well as he used to, but he “knows how to tell the truth.” He assured his audience that he would not have run for President if he wasn’t sure he could do the job.
Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez also sought to reassure Democrats, saying the campaign raised millions of dollars after the debate and gained several new volunteer activists.
The White House press conference came after the Supreme Court ruled in Donald Trump’s favor and granted him partial immunity from prosecution in a significant blow to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s election subversion case. Chief Justice John Roberts said that while the President is not above the law, nor can carrying out Presidential duties be criminalized. Lower courts will now determine what parts of Trump’s conduct were official and thereby covered by immunity.
Liberal Justices dissented and criticized the Court for turning Trump into a “king above the law.” Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the majority had decided based on “misguided wisdom” and created a “nightmare scenario” where future Presidents could act unlawfully without the fear of being held accountable by the justice system.
