Supreme Court provides win to Trump, ruling he has immunity for many acts in election interference indictment
Supreme Court rules Trump could have some immunity in election interference case, further delaying trial.
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday raised the bar for prosecuting Donald Trump, ruling that he has immunity for some of his conduct as president in his federal election interference case, but maybe not for other actions, adding another obstacle for special counsel Jack Smith taking the case to trial.
In a novel and potentially consequential case on the limits of presidential power, the justices voted 6-3 along ideological lines to reject Trump’s broad claim of immunity, meaning the charges relating to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results will not be dismissed, but said some actions closely related to his core duties as president are off-limits to prosecutors.
"Big win for our Constitution and democracy. Proud to be an American," Trump said in a post in all capital letters on Truth Social.
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said further proceedings are needed in lower courts to determine what conduct Trump can be prosecuted for. Among the conduct that the court determined to be core presidential powers and therefore subject to immunity are Trump's contacts with Justice Department officials and with Vice President Mike Pence in the weeks leading up to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by his supporters.
"The president is not above the law," Roberts wrote. "But Congress may not criminalize the president's conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the executive branch under the Constitution."
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