Former US President Donald Trump hailed the recent ruling of the Supreme Court that former presidents have absolute immunity for their official acts calling it a “Big win for constitution and democracy”.
The US Supreme Court then left it to the lower courts to see how the ruling impacted their case with regards to Trump as he faces charges related to his role in the 6 January 2021 Capitol riots and alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, as reported by Sky News.
The former president was charged with conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiring against the right of Americans to vote, and corruptly obstructing an official proceeding. Despite being charged, Trump has pleaded not guilty. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, Trump was ” Proud to be an American” as he expressed his satisfaction on social media.
The decision is significant as it marks the first time the Supreme Court has addressed the issue of a former president’s immunity from prosecution. However, the division among the justices was evident. The three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor strongly criticizing the ruling. “Today’s decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law,” wrote Sotomayor. She continued, “In every use of official power, the president is now a king above the law. With fear for our democracy, I dissent.”
Former attorney general Eric Holder also voiced his concerns, calling the decision “absurd and dangerous” and stating, “Our democracy has been gravely wounded.”
Trump’s legal team had contended that he was immune from prosecution for actions taken while serving as president. They argued that his role at the time should shield him from legal consequences. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought the charges against Trump in August last year, has opposed this view, emphasizing that “no one is above the law.”
A trial was initially scheduled to begin on March 4, but the decision on immunity has caused delays, leaving the trial date unset. The Supreme Court’s referral of the case to lower courts could further extend these delays. With the upcoming presidential election on November 5, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that any trial on these charges will conclude before the election.
Trump still faces three other indictments. Special Counsel Jack Smith is heading two federal investigations into Trump, both resulting in criminal charges. The Washington case focuses on Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, while the Florida case involves the mishandling of classified documents. Another case in Georgia also pertains to Trump’s actions following his 2020 electoral defeat.
Trump has consistently maintained that the cases against him are politically driven attempts to prevent his return to the White House.
Trump, aged 78, became the first former president to be convicted of a felony in May as he was found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment made during the 2016 presidential election to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who claims to have had a sexual encounter with him, a claim Trump denies.
The US Supreme Court then left it to the lower courts to see how the ruling impacted their case with regards to Trump as he faces charges related to his role in the 6 January 2021 Capitol riots and alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, as reported by Sky News.
The former president was charged with conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiring against the right of Americans to vote, and corruptly obstructing an official proceeding. Despite being charged, Trump has pleaded not guilty. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, Trump was ” Proud to be an American” as he expressed his satisfaction on social media.
The decision is significant as it marks the first time the Supreme Court has addressed the issue of a former president’s immunity from prosecution. However, the division among the justices was evident. The three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor strongly criticizing the ruling. “Today’s decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our constitution and system of government, that no man is above the law,” wrote Sotomayor. She continued, “In every use of official power, the president is now a king above the law. With fear for our democracy, I dissent.”
Former attorney general Eric Holder also voiced his concerns, calling the decision “absurd and dangerous” and stating, “Our democracy has been gravely wounded.”
Trump’s legal team had contended that he was immune from prosecution for actions taken while serving as president. They argued that his role at the time should shield him from legal consequences. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who brought the charges against Trump in August last year, has opposed this view, emphasizing that “no one is above the law.”
A trial was initially scheduled to begin on March 4, but the decision on immunity has caused delays, leaving the trial date unset. The Supreme Court’s referral of the case to lower courts could further extend these delays. With the upcoming presidential election on November 5, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that any trial on these charges will conclude before the election.
Trump still faces three other indictments. Special Counsel Jack Smith is heading two federal investigations into Trump, both resulting in criminal charges. The Washington case focuses on Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, while the Florida case involves the mishandling of classified documents. Another case in Georgia also pertains to Trump’s actions following his 2020 electoral defeat.
Trump has consistently maintained that the cases against him are politically driven attempts to prevent his return to the White House.
Trump, aged 78, became the first former president to be convicted of a felony in May as he was found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment made during the 2016 presidential election to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who claims to have had a sexual encounter with him, a claim Trump denies.