The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s election interference case. Trump is facing 34 charges of falsifying business records in Manhattan, but has requested to attend Supreme Court arguments on presidential immunity, which was rejected by the presiding judge. The court is expected to rule on this issue by late June, and Trump’s criminal trial stemming from Smith’s investigation has been put on hold pending the outcome.
Trump’s legal team argues that without presidential immunity, future presidents would be vulnerable to politically motivated prosecutions, which would overshadow their official acts and expose them to extortion and blackmail. Trump insists that presidential immunity is crucial for the proper functioning of the presidency and the protection of the country. He also warned that if he loses his immunity, so will his opponent, Joe Biden, as well as other former presidents like Obama and Bush. Trump has repeatedly emphasized the importance of presidential immunity and called for its protection.
In a separate case, the Supreme Court recently sided with Trump in his challenge to Colorado’s attempt to remove him from the 2024 primary ballot. The court unanimously ruled in favor of Trump’s arguments, impacting other states’ efforts to remove him from their ballots. This case highlighted the meaning and reach of Article 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars former officeholders who “engaged in insurrection” from holding public office again. Challenges to remove Trump from ballot have been filed in over 30 states.
Trump has expressed the importance of presidential immunity in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, stating that without it, the presidency would be reduced to a ceremonial position, contrary to the intentions of the founders. He believes that complete and total immunity is necessary for a president to properly and effectively function, and without it, the country would be at great risk. Trump continues to stress the significance of presidential immunity in protecting future presidents from politically motivated prosecutions and ensuring the proper functioning of the presidency.
The issue of presidential immunity continues to be a major point of contention, with Trump warning of the consequences of losing such immunity. The Supreme Court’s decision on this matter is eagerly awaited, as it will have far-reaching implications for future presidents. Trump and his legal team have vigorously defended the necessity of presidential immunity, while also highlighting the potential risks and dangers associated with its absence. The court’s ruling in this case is expected to shape the landscape of presidential immunity and its impact on the functioning of the presidency.
