(Scypre.com) – In a significant ruling, the US Supreme Court has handed former President Donald Trump a substantial legal victory by granting him broad immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during his presidency. This decision is poised to potentially delay Trump’s trial on charges related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the former president.
The high court’s decision, reached in a 6-3 vote, establishes that Trump enjoys immunity for “official acts” performed while in office. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, emphasized that while a president is not above the law, there exists a presumption of immunity from prosecution for actions undertaken as part of their constitutional duties.
“The president enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the president does is official,” Roberts wrote. “But Congress may not criminalize the president’s conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the executive branch under the constitution.”
The ruling sets a precedent that could significantly shape the boundaries between a president’s personal and official actions, a task that lower courts will now undertake. This process is expected to be intricate and time-consuming, potentially pushing any resolution in Trump’s case past the upcoming November elections.
Reacting to the decision, Trump expressed his satisfaction on social media, describing it as a “BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!” The ruling, seen as favorable to Trump’s political aspirations as the presumptive Republican nominee, raises the possibility that if re-elected, he could influence the Department of Justice to drop the ongoing criminal case against him.
Meanwhile, opponents of Trump, including President Joe Biden’s campaign, have criticized the decision, highlighting its potential implications for accountability and the rule of law. A senior Biden campaign adviser commented, “This ruling doesn’t change the facts. Let’s be very clear about what happened on January 6: Donald Trump snapped after he lost the 2020 election and encouraged a mob to overthrow the results of a free and fair election.”
In dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor sharply criticized the majority’s decision, arguing that it effectively shields presidents from accountability for criminal acts, which she warned undermines foundational principles of the US Constitution.
The Supreme Court’s decision comes amid a backdrop of multiple legal challenges facing Trump, including separate cases in New York and Georgia courts. These cases allege offenses ranging from financial misconduct to election interference, highlighting the complex legal landscape Trump continues to navigate post-presidency.