Supreme Court poised to rule in Trump presidential immunity case on Monday
The U.S.Supreme Court appears to be saving its most consequential ruling this term for last.When the justices meet on Monday for a final day of opinions, they are expected to issue a blockbuster decision on whether a former president is shielded from criminal liability for "official acts" taken while in the White House.In the case, Donald Trump is is claiming such immunity in order to quash the federal election subversion prosecution brought by special counsel Jack Smith.Smith charged Trump with four felony counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, over his efforts to hold onto power after his 2020 election loss.
Trump pleaded not guilty and has denied any wrongdoing.The trial was set to start March 4 but has been delayed while the high court considers the immunity question.MORE: Supreme Court rules in favor of Jan.6 defendant in dispute over obstruction chargeThe U.S.
Supreme Court building is seen in Washington, May 20, 2024.Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters, FILELower courts have flatly rejected Trump’s arguments.U.S.District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing Trump's election subversion case, said whatever immunities a sitting president may enjoy, the position "does not confer a lifelong 'get-out-of-jail-free' pass."And a three-judge panel in the U.S.
Court of Appeals later unanimously rejected Trump's claims, warning if they were to be accepted they would “collapse our system of separated powers.”While the Supreme Court did not appear on board with Trump's more sweeping claim of "absolute" immunity, several justices appeared open to some level of protection for former presidents when they heard oral arguments in late April -- months after Smith first asked the court to intervene on the issue.MORE: 'Surprising' and 'disturbing': Legal experts react to Supreme Court arguments on Trump's immunity claimTheir questioning largely focused on what presidential acts would be protected and which would...