The one institution that may save former President Donald Trump from an onslaught of Democrat-fueled criminal cases is the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). Justices have taken up key cases that could upset prosecutor’s attempts to jail Trump before the 2024 presidential election in November.
A key case being considered by SCOTUS revolves around the question of presidential immunity. Trump’s team is using the argument to defend against charges by a special prosecutor that Trump interfered with the 2020 presidential election.
Justices heard arguments this week in the immunity case with liberal and conservative members of the high court peppering lawyers on both sides with direct questions. Trump let the world know how he felt about the SCOTUS proceedings.
From Fox News:
The former president spoke to reporters after sitting in a Manhattan courtroom for hours Thursday—the seventh day of his criminal trial stemming from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation.“The U.S. Supreme Court had a monumental hearing on immunity and the immunity having to do with presidential immunity,” Trump said. “And I think it was made clear, I hope it is very clear that a president has to have immunity.”
Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges in the Manhattan case which alleged 34 claims of him falsifying business records. He pleaded not guilty to all charges brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case for election interference.
Trump’s team attacked Smith’s case, claiming the president has immunity from prosecution for his actions while in office. The government said he must be prosecuted despite his status during his administration.
Trump again asserted that without immunity, the office of the president would become nothing more than a “ceremonial” position.
“That’s not what the founders had in mind,” he said. “We want presidents that can get quite amazing — quite amazing.”
The former president praised Supreme Court justices for being “on their game.” John Sauer delivered arguments on behalf of Trump before SCOTUS.
“So let’s see how that turns out,” he said. “But again, I say presidential immunity is very powerful. Presidential immunity is imperative, or you practically won’t have a country anymore.”
When SCOTUS decided to take up the immunity case, the decision stalled Smith’s prosecution of Trump by several months. The high court is expected to rule on the case toward the last part of its current session which could be as late as mid-June.
A favorable ruling for Trump could shield him from prosecution in Smith’s case as well as the ongoing Georgia election interference case.
Key Takeaways:
- Trump said it was “made clear” that a president must have immunity while in office.
- He called arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court “monumental” for his case.
- Without immunity, Trump said, the presidency is nothing more than ceremonial.
Source: Fox News
