WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden said on Monday (July 1) the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity set a "dangerous precedent" that could turn presidents into kings and called on the American people to "dissent" by rejecting Donald Trump in November's election.

In clear, measured remarks from the White House, Biden said the court decision meant Trump was highly unlikely to go on trial before the Nov 5 election for his role in seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and warned it could turn US presidents into kings.

The court found Trump cannot be prosecuted for any actions that were within his constitutional powers as president, but can be for private acts, in a landmark ruling recognising for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.

"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," Biden said, reading from a teleprompter.

He said the court's decision meant there were now virtually no limits on what a president could do.

Related

---