The decision has been released.
The United States Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling stating that former President Donald Trump, along with other presidents, is immune from prosecution for official acts performed while in office. This decision, delivered in the case of Trump v. United States on Monday morning, addresses whether Trump could face charges from an indictment issued last year.
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court affirmed that while a president enjoys absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within their exclusive constitutional authority, this immunity does not extend to areas where authority is shared with Congress. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, emphasized that a former president retains some immunity from prosecution for official acts during their tenure, particularly those involving core constitutional powers.
The Court overturned a previous ruling from the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and sent the case back for further proceedings consistent with their opinion. Justice Roberts clarified that while the president is not immune from prosecution for unofficial acts and is not above the law, Congress cannot criminalize the president’s execution of executive branch responsibilities under the Constitution.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan, authored a dissenting opinion arguing against the majority’s decision. Sotomayor contended that granting a former president immunity from federal criminal prosecution contradicts the foundational principle that no individual, including a president, is above the law. She criticized the majority for inventing an unprecedented immunity without historical or textual basis.
Last year, special counsel Jack Smith brought four felony charges against Trump related to the January 6 Capitol riot, alleging obstruction of an official proceeding, defrauding the United States, and exploiting the protest to maintain power. Trump has maintained that these actions were protected by presidential immunity, asserting they were official acts within his presidential duties.
The case underscores ongoing legal challenges for Trump since leaving office, including separate legal battles such as those concerning business records and allegations related to payments made to Stephanie Clifford, known as Stormy Daniels.
