The United States Supreme Court, on Monday, ruled that former US President Donald Trump may have some immunity from criminal prosecution over actions he took in his last days in office.
This decision, according to experts, could further delay a trial on the federal election subversion charges pending against the controversial former president and the presumptive flag bearer of the Republican Party in the November 2024 presidential election.
This ruling quashes the decision of a Federal Appeals Court in February that found that Trump enjoyed no immunity for alleged crimes he committed during his presidency to reverse the 2020 election results.
Monday’s decision posits that presidents have immunity for official acts but not all acts are official, and lower courts must decide which acts qualify for each. Trump called the decision a “big win.”
Although this ruling appears to be a win for Trump, he is still facing multiple legal issues amid his quest to unseat current President Joe Biden and returned as US President, a position he held for four years.
Trump is still grappling on how to survive a sentencing hearing next week in his hush money case after being found guilty.
Reacting to the ruling, House Majority Leader, Steve Scalise, lauded the Supreme Court decision, stressing that it shows that a president cannot be prosecuted for acts while he is still officially in charge as president.
He said “With today’s decision, the Supreme Court concluded what we’ve known all along: a president cannot be prosecuted for his official acts. The weaponization of President Biden’s Department of Justice against President Trump is outrageous, unconstitutional, and must cease.
“While it’s becoming increasingly clear Democrats believe their only path to victory in November is through prosecuting their political opponent, today’s decision makes it clear this is not allowed in our constitutional system.”
