- LOADINGERROR LOADING
The Supreme Court released final opinions for the term Monday. Among them was a highly anticipated ruling regarding President Donald Trump’s immunity from prosecution over his involvement with the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.
In a 6-3 decision, the court said the president has “absolute immunity” from prosecution for official acts as president. They sent the case back to a lower court to determine what constitutes an official act, making it unlikely the case goes to trial ahead of the presidential election in November.
AdvertisementThe court has weighed in on abortion, guns, homelessness and the environment in a final flurry of opinions over the past week.
Follow along for live updates:
Paige LavenderThat's A Wrap
That's a wrap for HuffPost's live blog on the Supreme Court's ruling in the Trump immunity case. We have more live updates on the 2024 presidential race here.
Thanks for following!Josephine HarveyAuthoritarianism Expert Calls SCOTUS Ruling 'Unspeakable'
Authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat told MSNBC’s “Deadline: White House” the Supreme Court ruling that presidents should enjoy total immunity for official acts is "unspeakable."
“It’s about transforming the rule of law into ‘rule by the lawless,’” Ben-Ghiat said. “And so removing immunity from the head of state is the autocrat’s fantasy. It’s why Trump admires Xi Jinping and [Vladimir] Putin and all those autocrats, because that’s his fantasy, because he is so corrupt.”
Read more on Ben-Ghiat's interview below.Marita VlachouEx-Federal Prosecutor Describes Moment That Changed Atmosphere In The Courtroom
Former federal prosecutor Shan Wu painted the scene inside the Supreme Court as justices delivered their decision in the presidential immunity case.
Wu told CNN the moment that "changed the atmosphere in the courtroom" was when Justice Sonia Sotomayor started to read her dissent.
"There was much more tension in the courtroom and she really ratcheted up the drama by actually turning towards the conservative side, looking right at [Chief Justice John] Roberts at certain moments," Wu said. "And the fascinating thing to me, he never looked back at her."AdvertisementMarita VlachouTrump Urges Merrick Garland To Throw Out Jan. 6 Case
In one of his latest posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the Supreme Court gave special counsel Jack Smith "a high level SPANKING!" with yesterday's ruling in the presidential immunity case.
The former president then turned his ire to Attorney General Merrick Garland, claiming his reputation has been destroyed by "his constant defense of Crooked Joe," in reference to Biden.
"Garland ought to call an end to this never ending HOAX, and let people focus on bringing back Greatness to America!" Trump wrote.Lee MoranHarvard Law Professor Calls Supreme Court Ruling 'A Prescription For Autocracy'
Harvard constitutional law professor Laurence Tribe said the Supreme Court's decision in the presidential immunity case sets a dangerous precedent, calling it "a prescription for autocracy and eventually for authoritarianism and dictatorship."
Read more on Tribe's comments to MSNBC here.
Marita VlachouTom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesPelosi Says SCOTUS Gave Trump A 'Political Gift'
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the Supreme Court "has gone rogue with its decision" to afford Trump immunity for "official acts."
Pelosi said the ruling violates "the foundational American principle that no one is above the law."
"A seriously dangerous aspect of the ruling is its holding that official acts are inadmissible in trials for unofficial acts," Pelosi wrote in a statement. "With its delay, the Republican-appointed 6-3 Court gave the defendant a political gift."
“The Supreme Court placed itself on trial with this decision – and its credibility has been further diminished in the eyes of all those who believe in the rule of law," she continued.AdvertisementMarita VlachouTrump Lawyer Says Organizing Fake Slates Of Electors Constitutes Official Act
Will Scharf, a lawyer for Trump, said the former president's legal team will argue organizing fake slates of electors constitutes an official act of the presidency over which Trump enjoys complete immunity based on the Supreme Court's decision.
"Alternate slates of electors have been a method used by previous presidents, most notably Ulysses S. Grant, to ensure the integrity of prior elections," Scharf told CNN's "The Source." "So we believe the assembly of those alternate slates of electors was an official act of the presidency."
"The Supreme Court has reserved this issue for determination by the district court and we'll see how arguments fall in front of the district court," Scharf added.
Ed MazzaFollowing today's Supreme Court ruling, Trump attorney Will Scharf says they will argue that organizing the fake slates of electors counts as an official act of the presidency. pic.twitter.com/Icbh1WnOZA
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 2, 2024Lawrence O’Donnell Says Ruling Could Backfire For Donald Trump
MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell predicted Monday the Supreme Court’s decision could soon backfire for the former president.
“The very bad news for Donald Trump in this decision today, and for candidate Trump ― very, very bad ― is that Mike Pence is going to walk into a federal courtroom, raise his right hand, take an oath to tell the truth and testify against Donald Trump in this case in September,” he predicted.
O’Donnell went on to note that any evidentiary hearings in the Jan. 6 case would be “exactly like a prosecution” and could embarrass Trump in the weeks leading up to the November election.
Read more here:Jennifer BenderySupreme Court Decision Gives Joe Biden Legal OK To Assassinate Donald Trump
Legal experts said Monday the Supreme Court’s recent decision that Trump has full immunity for “official acts” appears to mean that, despite the authoritarian way it sounds, Biden could theoretically order the assassination of his rival and be immune from prosecution.
“Presumptively, he has the power to assassinate a rival,” John Dean, who was White House counsel to former President Richard Nixon, told HuffPost on a call Monday.
Dean went on to say the ruling also raised questions about immunity for those in the White House who carry out a president’s “official” but criminal activities.
Read more here:AdvertisementLydia O'ConnorJoe Biden Delivers Ominous Closing To Trump Immunity Remarks
Biden ended his remarks on an ominous note.“May God help preserve our democracy,” he said before walking away from the podium.
The line echoes the closing line of Sotomayor’s minority opinion. “With fear for our democracy, I dissent,” she wrote.Igor BobicRead More On Joe Biden's Remarks About The Trump Immunity Ruling
Biden’s remarks at the White House on Monday evening come amid intense scrutiny regarding his political future.
Read more: Lydia O'ConnorJoe Biden Says This Is Only Supreme Court’s Latest Grave Error
Biden came down hard on the Supreme Court, saying this is only the latest erroneous decision from the court packed with Trump nominees.
“This decision today has continued the court's attack in recent years on a wide range of long established legal principles in our nation, from gutting voting rights and civil rights to taking away a woman's right to choose,” he said.AdvertisementLydia O'ConnorJoe Biden: SCOTUS Ruling Makes Donald Trump Even More Dangerous
Biden warned Americans that with the court’s new ruling, another Trump presidency will pose an even greater threat.
“It will depend on the character of the men and women who hold that presidency that are going to define the limits of the power of the presidency, because the law will no longer do it,” he continued. “I know I will respect the limits of the presidential powers – I have for three and a half years – but any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law.”Nick VisserDonald Trump’s Attorneys Move To Throw Out Hush Money Conviction
Trump’s lawyers asked a judge to postpone his sentencing following his conviction on all counts in his Manhattan hush money trial, citing Monday’s Supreme Court decision.
The attorneys said they planned to file a motion to overturn the verdict while the judge considers if the high court’s ruling will impact the conviction. But the gambit may be far-fetched as the Supreme Court’s decision only protects a president’s actions while in office, not while they are a candidate.
The New York Times notes it may be too late for the judge to revisit the conviction anyways as a deadline to file post-trial motions has already passed. The publication added the judge may instruct the former president’s attorneys to raise their concerns during an eventual appeal.
Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in 10 days.Lydia O'ConnorJoe Biden Slams Ruling, Says It Fundamentally Changes America’s Founding Principles
Biden spoke for several minutes from the White House in response to the Supreme Court ruling, slamming it as an attack on fundamental American principles.
“This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America. Each, each of us is equal before the law. No one – no one is above the law, not even the president of United States,” Biden said.
“Today's Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity that fundamentally changed for all for all practical purposes, today's decision almost certainly means that there are virtually no limits what the President can do," he continued.AdvertisementNick VisserTop Democrat Will Introduce Amendment To Reverse Supreme Court Decision
Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, said Monday he would introduce a constitutional amendment that would reverse the impacts of the Supreme Court’s decision.
“I will introduce a constitutional amendment to reverse SCOTUS’ harmful immunity decision and ensure that no president is above the law. This amendment will do what SCOTUS failed to do – prioritize our democracy,” Morelle said in a statement. “The former president must be held accountable for his decisions."
"I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and stand with me on the front line to protect our democracy.”
Lydia O'ConnorJoe Biden To Speak Soon On SCOTUS Immunity Ruling
The White House just announced that Biden will deliver remarks on the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling at 7:45 p.m. ET. He’ll speak from Cross Hall, a wide hallway on the first floor of the White House.Lydia O'ConnorDonald Trump Praises 'Powerful,' 'Brilliantly Written And Wise' SCOTUS Ruling In All-Caps Post
In an all-caps post on Truth Social, Trump praised the Supreme Court's ruling and reiterated that the dozens of “fake” charges against him should “disappear."
“THE SUPREME COURT DECISION IS A MUCH MORE POWERFUL ONE THAN SOME HAD EXPECTED IT TO BE,” he wrote on his social media platform. “IT IS BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN AND WISE, AND CLEARS THE STENCH FROM THE BIDEN TRIALS AND HOAXES, ALL OF THEM, THAT HAVE BEEN USED AS AN UNFAIR ATTACK ON CROOKED JOE BIDEN’S POLITICAL OPPONENT, ME. MANY OF THESE FAKE CASES WILL NOW DISAPPEAR, OR WITHER INTO OBSCURITY. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”AdvertisementJennifer BenderyJohn Dean Stunned By Trump Immunity Ruling
Former President Richard Nixon’s counsel John Dean said Monday that the Supreme Court’s decision that Donald Trump has full immunity for “official” actions he took as president — even his attempted coup — likely would have meant that Nixon was immune from his criminal conduct during the Watergate scandal that led to his resignation.
Read more here.Nina GolgowskiSen. Sanders Urges ‘Corporate-Sponsored Justices’ To Quit, Run For Office
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) urged “right-wing, corporate-sponsored” justices to bow out and run for political office while branding the court as “out of control.”
“If these conservative justices want to make public policy, they should simply quit the Supreme Court and run for political office,” he said in a statement that also called for an enforceable code of ethics as “a start” in any “real” Supreme Court reform.
Sanders ticked off a list of recent decisions by the justices as justification for his opposition, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the court’s more recent overturning of protections to homeless people sleeping outdoors.
Taiyler S. MitchellThe Supreme Court is out of control.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) July 1, 2024
If these conservative right-wing, corporate-sponsored justices want to make public policy, they should simply quit the Supreme Court and run for political office. pic.twitter.com/jrm3ZdSti8Rep. Ilhan Omar Says SCOTUS Can’t Be Trusted
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) condemned the Supreme Court’s Monday decision and sounded the alarm about the state of American democracy.
“The Supreme Court can no longer be trusted to uphold the Constitution,” one member of the “The Squad” posted on X, formerly Twitter. “If Donald Trump is reelected, this convicted felon, rapist, and twice-impeached former President will be able to do whatever the hell he wants.”
“It’s a scary day for American democracy,” she added.
AdvertisementNina GolgowskiThe Supreme Court can no longer be trusted to uphold the Constitution.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 1, 2024
If Donald Trump is reelected, this convicted felon, rapist, and twice-impeached former President will be able to do whatever the hell he wants.
It’s a scary day for American democracy.Senate Judiciary Chair Calls Alito, Thomas ‘Disgraceful’ For Not Recusing From Decision
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) tore into Justices Thomas and Alito for refusing to recuse themselves from the Trump immunity case.
“It is disgraceful that Justices Thomas and Alito brazenly refused to recuse themselves from this case,” he posted on social media. “As I’ve said before, the appearance of impropriety or partiality require recusal.”
Both of the justices’ wives have been linked to movements and protests to overturn the 2020 election. Thomas’ wife Ginny Thomas reportedly pressured a now-former Trump official, Mark Meadows, to overturn what she called “the greatest heist of our history.”
Alito’s wife Martha-Ann Alito reportedly hung an upside-down flag, a common symbol of Trump’s “Stop the Steal” movement, around the time of the 2021 insurrection.
“Until Chief Justice Roberts uses his existing authority to enact an enforceable code of conduct, I will continue to push to pass the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act,” Durbin wrote, citing a bill that would mandate a code of conduct for the justices and improve judicial transparency and watchdog investigations.
Liz SkalkaRelatedly, it is disgraceful that Justices Thomas and Alito brazenly refused to recuse themselves from this case.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) July 1, 2024
As I’ve said before, the appearance of impropriety or partiality require recusal.AOC Blasts Supreme Court 'Corruption Crisis'
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said on Monday she’ll submit articles of impeachment against members of the U.S. Supreme Court when the House of Representatives is back in session.
Read more here.Lydia O'ConnorDonald Trump Demands Joe Biden Call Off His ‘Dogs’
Trump posted another celebration of the ruling on social media.
“The Supreme Court totally dismantled most of the charges against me. Joe Biden should now call off his ‘dogs.’ Our Country should now be focused on GREATNESS again!” said Trump, who has repeatedly claimed without merit that the dozens of charges against him are a conspiracy led by Biden and the Democrats.AdvertisementLydia O'ConnorTrump Lawyer Alina Habba: 'Sorry, Jack Smith'
Trump’s legal spokesperson Alina Habba went on Fox News to praise the court’s decision.
“They basically have said, ‘Sorry, Jack Smith, you don’t get to just impede and intrude on the executive branch,’” Habba said. “We get to have protections for presidents who are doing things while they are in office so that they don’t come out and get targeted and criminally and civilly sued. It’s incredibly important. It was a good decision.”
Paige LavenderRalph Nader Blames Hillary Clinton For SCOTUS Immunity Ruling
In a post on X, former presidential candidate Ralph Nader blamed Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in the 2016 presidential race, for today's Supreme Court ruling.
Lydia O'ConnorA dictatorial, unelected majority in the Supreme Court has just rendered America a dictatorial president above the law. Thank you Hillary Clinton, whose blundering campaign let the dictatorial Trump become president and led to a rightwing dictatorial majority on the Supreme…
— Ralph Nader (@RalphNader) July 1, 2024Hakeem Jeffries Vows ‘Aggressive Oversight’ Of Supreme Court
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries promised that House Democrats will engage in “aggressive oversight and legislative activity” to ensure that “the extreme, far-right justices in the majority are brought into compliance with the Constitution.”
See his full statement here.AdvertisementNina GolgowskiAOC Slams Court, Says She Will File Articles Of Impeachment
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said the Supreme Court has become consumed by corruption “beyond its control” and that she intends to file articles of impeachment, presumably after Congress returns from the July 4th holiday.
“Today’s ruling represents an assault on American democracy. It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture,” she posted on social media.
Sanjana KaranthThe Supreme Court has become consumed by a corruption crisis beyond its control.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 1, 2024
Today’s ruling represents an assault on American democracy. It is up to Congress to defend our nation from this authoritarian capture.
I intend on filing articles of impeachment upon our return.DNC Says Joe Biden Is The Only Thing Standing Between Trump And Democracy
The Democratic National Committee released a statement in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity, underscoring the potential consequences to American democracy if Trump wins in November.
“Today’s ruling only underscores the stakes of this election – this is not just about partisan politics, this is about freedom,” DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said, highlighting that the former Republican president incited a mob of followers to storm the Capitol in order to overturn the 2020 election.
“It’s hard to believe, but Trump has only become more unhinged in the years since he lost to Joe Biden, promising to be a dictator on ‘day one,’ suggesting the ‘termination’ of our Constitution to overturn valid election results, and warning of a ‘bloodbath’ if he loses again,” Harrison continued. “The only thing standing between Donald Trump and his threats to our democracy is President Biden – and the American people will stand once again on the side of democracy this November.”
The committee’s strong statement in support of Biden comes as party members grapple with whether to continue supporting the Democratic president’s candidacy after his poor performance at the first presidential debate last week.Nina GolgowskiFormer Attorney General Eric Holder Rips ‘Monstrosity’ Ruling, Calling It ‘Absurd And Dangerous’
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder ripped the court’s ruling as “absurd and dangerous” and lacking any Constitutional backbone.
“There is no basis in the Constitution for this Court constructed monstrosity,” Holder, who served in the Obama administration, posted on social media.
“The Trump immunity decision says: a president CAN VIOLATE THE CRIMINAL LAW if he acts within his broadly defined ‘constitutional authority’,” he wrote. “There is no basis in the Constitution for this Court constructed monstrosity.”
Holder expressed concerns last month that the justices could reach this very conclusion. In an interview with MSNBC, he based that assumption on the amount of time they were taking to decide the case.AdvertisementLydia O'ConnorJohn Dean, Richard Nixon’s White House Counsel, Comments On Immunity Ruling
Richard Nixon’s one-time lawyer noted Monday that an infamous quote from his former client now reflects the opinion of the Supreme Court.
John Dean, who was White House counsel during the Watergate scandal and played a role in the infamous cover-up, posted this quote from Nixon on social media: “When the president does it, that means that it is not illegal,” and added, “Affirmed, US Supreme Court, 2024.”
Nixon made the comment in a 1977 interview, three years after he was forced to resign from the White House for covering up his administration breaking into Democratic National Committee headquarters.
Dean has been highly critical of Trump in recent years, saying in 2018 the 2024 nominee is "more dangerous" than Nixon was. Nina GolgowskiHouse Speaker Mike Johnson Calls Ruling ‘A Victory’ For Donald Trump And ‘All Future Presidents’
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) celebrated the ruling as a “victory” for Trump and “all future presidents” while calling the Justice Department a “weaponized” tool of the Biden administration.
“The Court clearly stated that presidents are entitled to immunity for their official acts. This decision is based on the obviously unique power and position of the presidency, and comports with the Constitution and common sense,” he posted on social media.
Nina GolgowskiToday’s ruling by the Court is a victory for former President Trump and all future presidents, and another defeat for President Biden’s weaponized Department of Justice and Jack Smith.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 1, 2024
The Court clearly stated that presidents are entitled to immunity for their official acts.…Amy Coney Barrett: Donald Trump’s Alleged Fake Electors Scheme Should Stay Open To Prosecution
Justice Amy Coney Barrett agreed in the ruling at large that Trump should have immunity from prosecution for official acts but in a separate opinion she called out one indictment against him that she said should remain open to prosecution.
In a footnote, Barrett highlighted Trump’s alleged attempt to use fake electors to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which she said should be considered private conduct and not official.
“Sorting private from official conduct sometimes will be difficult—but not always. Take the President’s alleged attempt to organize alternative slates of electors. In my view, that conduct is private and therefore not entitled to protection,” she wrote.AdvertisementMollie ReillyDemocratic Senator Rips Conservative SCOTUS Justices: ‘Nakedly Partisan Hacks’
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who sits on the Senate’s judiciary committee, tore into the Supreme Court’s conservative wing for granting Trump immunity from prosecution for “official” acts as president.
“The Supreme Court has put lawbreaking presidents like Donald Trump above the law. This cravenly political decision to shield President Trump grants him a legal armor that no other citizen enjoys,” Blumenthal wrote in a statement posted to social media on Monday. “The net effect is not only to delay Trump’s criminal trial, but bestow an unwise & unjust broad shield for him & other presidents who flout & flagrantly abuse their office. This is a license for authoritarianism.”
He continued: “My stomach turns with fear & anger that our democracy can be so endangered by an out-of-control Court. The members of Court’s conservative majority will now be rightly perceived by the American people as extreme & nakedly partisan hacks—politicians in robes.”Paige LavenderDonald Trump: Today's Decision Should End All 'Witch Hunts'
Trump posted more about the opinion on Truth Social Monday, saying the ruling "should end all of Crooked Joe Biden’s witch hunts against" him.Nina GolgowskiDem Congressman Calls Court Decision A ‘Blueprint’ For Dictatorship
Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.) slammed the Supreme Court’s decision as “nothing less than a blueprint for a dictator to take root in the Oval Office.”
“Convicted criminal Donald Trump once said he could shoot someone and get away with it. Today’s decision by America’s highest court suggests that he could,” Pascrell said in a social media post.
Trump infamously boasted at a 2016 campaign rally that he could ”stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue, shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters.”
AdvertisementSanjana KaranthThis opinion by the republican supreme court is nothing less than a blueprint for a dictator to take root in the Oval Office. Convicted criminal donald trump once said he could shoot someone and get away with it. Today’s decision by America’s highest court suggests that he could.
— Bill Pascrell, Jr. ???????? (@BillPascrell) July 1, 2024Read More From Sonia Sotomayor's Fiery Dissent
Sotomayor on Monday delivered the kind of blistering dissent she’s become known for.
Read more:Nina GolgowskiSotomayor Suggests Chilling Crimes A U.S. President Could Now Get Away With
Justice Sotomayor warned in a dissenting opinion that the court’s presidential immunity ruling could legally shield a U.S. president for acts like assassinating a political rival and accepting bribes.
“The long-term consequences of today’s decision are stark,” she wrote in response to what she said is the creation of “a law-free zone around the President.”
“When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majority’s reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune,” she wrote.Paige LavenderSenate Majority Leader: 'This Is A Sad Day For America'
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said today is "a sad day for America and a sad day for our democracy."
"The very basis of our judicial system is that no one is above the law," he posted on X, formerly Twitter, in response to the Supreme Court's decision in the immunity case.
AdvertisementMarita VlachouThis is a sad day for America and a sad day for our democracy.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 1, 2024
The very basis of our judicial system is that no one is above the law.
Treason or incitement of an insurrection should not be considered a core constitutional power afforded to a president. https://t.co/wCNI42U5KiSCOTUS Asks Chutkan To Determine Whether Trump Pressuring Pence To Undo 2020 Vote Was 'Official' Act
The Supreme Court sent the case back to Judge Tanya Chutkan’s court to determine whether Trump pressuring his Vice President Mike Pence constitutes an “official” act for which he has immunity.
"It is ultimately the Government’s burden to rebut the presumption of immunity," the chief justice wrote. "We therefore remand to the District Court to assess in the first instance, with appropriate input from the parties, whether a prosecution involving Trump’s alleged attempts to influence the Vice President’s oversight of the certification proceeding in his capacity as President of the Senate would pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch."
Read more on the ruling by HuffPost's S.V. Date here.Paige LavenderAPThat's A Wrap On The Term
Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion, and Justice Sonya Sotomayor, who wrote the dissent, both read from the bench today after the release of the Trump immunity decision.
They are just now wrapping up and court is finished for the term, according to SCOTUSblog's Amy Howe.Marita VlachouJustice Thomas Questions Smith’s Appointment In Concurring Opinion
Justice Clarence Thomas called special counsel Jack Smith’s appointment into question in a concurring opinion.
“If this unprecedented prosecution is to proceed, it must be conducted by someone duly authorized to do so by the American people,” Thomas wrote. “The lower courts should thus answer these essential questions concerning the Special Counsel’s appointment before proceeding.”
(H/t SCOTUSblog)AdvertisementMarita VlachouBiden Campaign Reacts To SCOTUS Trump Immunity Decision
Following the release of the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Biden campaign said Trump’s behavior on Jan. 6 demonstrates he “thinks he’s above the law and is willing to do anything to gain and hold onto power for himself.”
Since the Capitol riot, “Trump has only grown more unhinged,” a senior Biden campaign advisor said in a statement shared with HuffPost.
“He’s promising to be a dictator ‘on day one,’ calling for our Constitution to be ‘terminated’ so he can regain power, and promising a 'bloodbath' if he loses. The American people already rejected Donald Trump’s self-obsessed quest for power once — Joe Biden will make sure they reject it for good in November.”Liza HearonTrump Reacts To Immunity Ruling
The former president celebrated the court's ruling in a post on his Truth Social platform.
"BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY," he wrote. Sanjana KaranthJustice Sonia Sotomayor Deals Massive Dissent In Trump Immunity Ruling
The ruling on Trump’s presidential immunity was along ideological lines, with Sotomayor writing the kind of blistering dissent she’s becoming known for.
The liberal justice said that her conservative colleagues on the high court have a “single-minded fixation” on Trump’s need “for boldness and dispatch” that ignores necessary accountability — a move she said runs counter to the Framers.
“Never in the history of our Republic has a President had reason to believe that he would be immune from criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal law,” she wrote.
“Moving forward, however, all former Presidents will be cloaked in such immunity. If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop.”
“With fear for our democracy, I dissent.”AdvertisementKey MomentMarita VlachouJustice Roberts: President Entitled To Immunity From Prosecution For Official Acts
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled Trump enjoys complete immunity for “official acts” he took while in office.
“Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of Presidential power entitles a former President to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority. And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts,” Roberts wrote.
“There is no immunity for unofficial acts,” Roberts added.
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett joined Roberts in the majority.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor penned the dissent, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Read our full story on the court's decision here.Sanjana KaranthJustice Jackson Says Corner Post Ruling Could 'Devastate' Federal Government
In her dissent in Corner Post, Inc. v. Board of Governors, Justice Jackson said the Supreme Court’s ruling that allows plaintiffs to challenge an agency’s action long after it has been finalized is “staggering.”
“There is effectively no longer any limitations period for lawsuits that challenge agency regulations on their fact,” she wrote alongside fellow liberal Justices Kagan and Sotomayor.
“At the end of a momentous Term, this much is clear,” she continued. “The tsunami of lawsuits against agencies that the Court’s holdings in this case and Loper Bright have authorized has the potential to devastate the functioning of the Federal Government,” Jackson wrote.Liza HearonThe Presidential Immunity Decision Is Here
You can read the full decision in Trump v. United States here.
It's by Chief Justice John Roberts.
The vote is 6-3.
Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh joined the opinion in full, and Barrett joined all except for one part. Justices Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson dissented.AdvertisementMarita VlachouSupreme Court Releases Decision In NetChoice Case
The Supreme Court just released its second ruling of the day. Justice Elena Kagan delivered the opinion in Moody v. NetChoice, LLC.
You can read the full opinion here. Liza HearonChip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesProtesters Wait Outside Court
Anti-Trump demonstrators rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court today in Washington, D.C. Marita VlachouAssociated PressTrump Says SCOTUS Immunity Ruling Will Have 'Bigger Impact On Joe Biden'
In an interview with The John Fredericks Show, Trump said the Supreme Court’s ruling in his immunity case will be “very interesting” to watch.
“I think it has a bigger impact on Joe Biden than it has on me, actually,” Trump said, according to CNN, without offering any further details to explain his reasoning.AdvertisementLiza HearonCourt Releases First Opinion
We have the first opinion released: Corner Post, Inc. v. Board of Governors
Justice Amy Coney Barrett started her announcement with a joke about how this isn't the case we were all waiting for, SCOTUS Blog reports.Liza HearonPresidential Immunity Decision Expected Today
Here's some background on the big decision that we are anticipating to be released today.Liza HearonWelcome To Our Live Updates
Stay tuned for updates as the Supreme Court releases its final decisions for the term. AdvertisementRelated
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Supreme Court Releases Final 2024 Opinions: Live Updates
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