Supreme Court Rules Gives Trump Immunity for 'Official Acts'

The Supreme Court has handed former President Donald Trump a potentially big win on immunity for actions he took while in office.

The court ruled 6-3 that presidents have immunity from prosecution for official acts but not for unofficials acts.

Justices Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson dissented from the majority opinion authored by Chief Justice John Roberts.

Trump reacted to the decision in a post on his Truth Social account saying, "Big win for our constitution and democracy. Proud to be an American!"

The ruling will impact the federal election subversion <a href="https://www.hngn.com/articles/255117/20231222/trump-immunity-supreme-court-rejects-special-counsels-request-for-expedited-ruling.htm" mce_href="https://www.hngn.com/articles/255117/20231222/trump-immunity-supreme-court-rejects-special-counsels-request-for-expedited-ruling.htm">case against </a>him.He is <a href="https://www.hngn.com/articles/256776/20240206/trump-presidential-immunity.htm" mce_href="https://www.hngn.com/articles/256776/20240206/trump-presidential-immunity.htm">charged with election interference and obstruction</a> of justice by special counsel Jack Smith for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election linked to the <a href="https://www.hngn.com/articles/258528/20240319/jan-6-riot-capitol-building-attack-fbi-law-enforcement-incriminating-posts-video-social-media-influencer-donald-trump-conservative-american-maga-supporter-rioters-breaking-and-entering.htm" mce_href="https://www.hngn.com/articles/258528/20240319/jan-6-riot-capitol-building-attack-fbi-law-enforcement-incriminating-posts-video-social-media-influencer-donald-trump-conservative-american-maga-supporter-rioters-breaking-and-entering.htm">violent attack on the U.S. Capitol </a>on Jan. 6, 2021.Trump argued that a president must have the freedom to do his job in the White House without the threat of prosecution from a hostile future administration.Prosecutors have argued that absolute immunity could result in extreme criminal acts by a president, who could conceivably opt to stay in the White House for life and order assassinations.Lower courts found Trump cannot claim immunity for actions illegally sought to interfere with election results.The Supreme Court heard more than two hours of oral arguments in April in the case. Questions from the bench largely focused on what could be considered official acts in the White House, as opposed to actions taken to further personal interest.The court's handling of the issue was previously criticised including why it took up the issue after a federal appeals court rejected it, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-immunity-opinions-767e08d5a63f47658a945c6f23f60cfe" mce_href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-immunity-opinions-767e08d5a63f47658a945c6f23f60cfe">the Associated Press reported</a>.Trump has continued to deny he did anything wrong in connection with the events on Jan. 6. During last week's presidential debate he <a href="https://www.hngn.com/articles/261757/20240628/fack-checkers-list-trump-biden-lies-at-debate.htm" mce_href="https://www.hngn.com/articles/261757/20240628/fack-checkers-list-trump-biden-lies-at-debate.htm">tried to pin the violence</a> on former House majority leader Nancy Pelosi.Last week, the Supreme Court <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-5572_l6hn.pdf" mce_href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-5572_l6hn.pdf">ruled 6-3</a> to limit the obstruction charges against Jan. 6 Capitol rioters, saying the Department of Justice overstepped its authority. That could weaken the federal elecction interference case against Trump.In May, <a href="https://www.hngn.com/articles/261033/20240530/donald-trump-trial-verdict-new-york-hush-money-trial.htm" mce_href="https://www.hngn.com/articles/261033/20240530/donald-trump-trial-verdict-new-york-hush-money-trial.htm">Trump was convicted in New York</a> of 34 felonies in a criminal hush-money case how he recorded payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep an alledged sexual relationship with her hidden from voters ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump continues to deny he had sex with Daniels.This is a developing story and will be updated.