Overview

• President Joe Biden called for a constitutional amendment to eliminate presidential immunity for crimes committed in office during his farewell address.
• The proposal directly challenges a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that granted sitting presidents absolute immunity for official acts and presumptive immunity for broader actions tied to their role.
• Biden criticized the ruling as a dangerous precedent, arguing it removes meaningful legal constraints on presidential power and undermines democracy.
• The Supreme Court decision led to the dismissal of federal criminal cases against Donald Trump, including investigations into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
• Biden's speech also highlighted concerns about the rise of an oligarchy in America, warning of the risks posed by the unchecked concentration of wealth, power, and technological influence.