The Supreme Court justices appear poised to offer Donald Trump and future US presidents some form of immunity from criminal prosecution for their actions while in office – while rejecting broad absolute immunity.
The nation’s highest court heard oral arguments yesterday in a historic case which the justices acknowledged has “huge implications” for not only the former president’s criminal cases but also for America’s future. “This case has huge implications for the presidency, for the future of the presidency, for the future of the country,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh said.
Mr Trump’s lawyers claim he has presidential immunity from charges of federal election interference brought by special counsel Jack Smith over the former president’s actions around the 2020 election. Mr Smith’s office claims that he does not.
During the arguments, the conservative male majority of the court toyed with the idea of awarding some protections to Mr Trump in his case.
Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas raised concerns that, without protections, presidents could face politically-motivated prosecution for actions they take while in office.
A narrow decision that aligns with that line of thinking would outline certain types of “official acts” that justices believe are protected from criminal prosecution.
Mr Trump has previously contended that all the charges relate to “official” acts, rather than “private” acts, and so are protected by presidential immunity.
This story is from the April 26, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 26, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How Spacey's career came down like a house of cards
As anew documentary reveals more harrowing allegations against the star of American Beauty’, Nick Hilton tells the story of an actor whose own character remains an enigma
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
House prices are down and mortgage costs are up. So how long will buyers and sellers have to wait before the market begins to show signs of life? James Moore digs into the data
Wilson on top after black ball finish halts Jones surge
World Snooker Championship final to resume this afternoon
Norris wins maiden grand prix to end Verstappen run
The Briton, 24, dedicates victory in Miami to his grandma’
Chelsea crush West Ham on late surge for Europe
Chelsea kept up their electric goalscoring form at home and boosted their hopes of securing a Europa League spot with a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham.
Anfield thrills to one more Klopp rollercoaster ride
Eight and a half years after Jurgen Klopp’s reign began against Tottenham, five years after it peaked in a Champions League final against them, Spurs may prove a final example of what made it great and why Anfield will mourn the German.
I'd vote for getting rid of the virtue-signalling smug selfies
A picture can tell a thousand words – but it doesn’t always.
More people should settle their differences with poetry
There’s a lot of conflict in the world right now
'Stop and search' shows that we live in a two-tier society
A few years ago, I went to Westfield in Stratford, east London. I find going shopping a bore at the best of times, so the idea of a place where all the stores I might want to go to are under one roof – a shopping centre, if you will – sounded super convenient, if also my idea of a living hell.
Tory voters won't thank us if we replace the prime minister
The results of the local and police and crime commissioner elections in England were supposed to follow a clear narrative – that Labour was on course for a massive parliamentary majority in a general election, and that Rishi Sunak’s premiership would be on the rocks, with rebel factions waiting to displace him.
