Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in support of Republicans Doug Mastriano for governor of Pennsylvania and Mehmet Oz for U.S. Senate at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre on September 3, 2022
Win for Trump as US Supreme Court Punts on Immunity Question
"There are no good, pro-Constitution, pro-democracy, pro-best interests of American society or the reputation of the Supreme Court reasons for taking this position," said one commentator.
Donald Trump scored at least a temporary legal victory on Friday when the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would not intervene—at least for now—to determine whether or not the former president enjoys full immunity for alleged misconduct during his time in office, including actions related to a federal indictment for his role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection.
Jack Smith, the special counsel prosecuting Trump, had requested that the nation's highest tribunal bypass a lower appeals court, telling the justices the case "presents a fundamental question at the heart of our democracy" that must be answered expeditiously.
The question at the center of the case is "whether a former president is absolutely immune from federal prosecution for crimes committed while in office or is constitutionally protected from federal prosecution when he has been impeached but not convicted before the criminal proceedings begin," said Smith.
Trump previously appealed District Judge Tanya Chutkan's ruling that rejected his claim of immunity. The former president's appeal suspended his criminal trial centered on allegations that Trump attempted to obstruct Congress and defraud the U.S. government when he led efforts to overturn President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.
Smith told the justices that the U.S. government recognized that asking them to rule on Trump immunity was "an extraordinary request."
"This is an extraordinary case," he reasoned.
Political commentator David Rothkopf said the high court's decision "only helps Trump and hurts the country."
Smith and critics of Trump have pointed out that delaying Trump's criminal case could push the trial on his conduct past the 2024 election, potentially allowing him to order the charges be dropped if he wins the presidential race.
Journalist Mehdi Hasan said the court's refusal to intervene provides the latest proof that the Supreme Court will not "protect our rights and our democracy, and stand up to Trump should he win again next year and go full fascist."
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Donald Trump scored at least a temporary legal victory on Friday when the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would not intervene—at least for now—to determine whether or not the former president enjoys full immunity for alleged misconduct during his time in office, including actions related to a federal indictment for his role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection.
Jack Smith, the special counsel prosecuting Trump, had requested that the nation's highest tribunal bypass a lower appeals court, telling the justices the case "presents a fundamental question at the heart of our democracy" that must be answered expeditiously.
The question at the center of the case is "whether a former president is absolutely immune from federal prosecution for crimes committed while in office or is constitutionally protected from federal prosecution when he has been impeached but not convicted before the criminal proceedings begin," said Smith.
Trump previously appealed District Judge Tanya Chutkan's ruling that rejected his claim of immunity. The former president's appeal suspended his criminal trial centered on allegations that Trump attempted to obstruct Congress and defraud the U.S. government when he led efforts to overturn President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.
Smith told the justices that the U.S. government recognized that asking them to rule on Trump immunity was "an extraordinary request."
"This is an extraordinary case," he reasoned.
Political commentator David Rothkopf said the high court's decision "only helps Trump and hurts the country."
Smith and critics of Trump have pointed out that delaying Trump's criminal case could push the trial on his conduct past the 2024 election, potentially allowing him to order the charges be dropped if he wins the presidential race.
Journalist Mehdi Hasan said the court's refusal to intervene provides the latest proof that the Supreme Court will not "protect our rights and our democracy, and stand up to Trump should he win again next year and go full fascist."
- Special Counsel Asks SCOTUS to Rule on Trump Jan. 6 Case ›
- Trump Channels Nixon With 'Presidential Immunity' Defense in January 6 Case ›
- Jack Smith Seeks Ban on 'Political Attacks,' Disinformation at Trump Trial ›
- If Elected, Trump Threatens to Weaponize DOJ Against Biden ›
- Trump Claims Presidents 'Have Absolute Immunity,' But Judges Seem Skeptical ›
- 'Citizen Trump': Appeals Court Says No Immunity in Jan. 6 Case ›
- Trump Appeals Presidential Immunity Claim to US Supreme Court ›
- As Supreme Court Takes Trump Immunity Case, Clarence Thomas Urged to Recuse ›
- Opinion | The Supreme Court Is Doing Everything It Can to Get Trump Back in Office | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | The Supreme Court Is Not Going to Save Us From Donald Trump | Common Dreams ›
- Supreme Court Urged to Reject 'Intolerable and Dangerous' Trump Immunity Claim ›
- Supreme Court Urged to 'Rule Quickly' After Trump Immunity Arguments | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | Right-Wing Justices Plays Along With Farcical Ruse on Trump Immunity | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | The Supreme Court Justices Colluding With Trump to 'Catch and Kill' Insurrection Case | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | Trump and O.J.: Delusional Psychos in Court Put America on Trial | Common Dreams ›
Donald Trump scored at least a temporary legal victory on Friday when the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would not intervene—at least for now—to determine whether or not the former president enjoys full immunity for alleged misconduct during his time in office, including actions related to a federal indictment for his role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection.
Jack Smith, the special counsel prosecuting Trump, had requested that the nation's highest tribunal bypass a lower appeals court, telling the justices the case "presents a fundamental question at the heart of our democracy" that must be answered expeditiously.
The question at the center of the case is "whether a former president is absolutely immune from federal prosecution for crimes committed while in office or is constitutionally protected from federal prosecution when he has been impeached but not convicted before the criminal proceedings begin," said Smith.
Trump previously appealed District Judge Tanya Chutkan's ruling that rejected his claim of immunity. The former president's appeal suspended his criminal trial centered on allegations that Trump attempted to obstruct Congress and defraud the U.S. government when he led efforts to overturn President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.
Smith told the justices that the U.S. government recognized that asking them to rule on Trump immunity was "an extraordinary request."
"This is an extraordinary case," he reasoned.
Political commentator David Rothkopf said the high court's decision "only helps Trump and hurts the country."
Smith and critics of Trump have pointed out that delaying Trump's criminal case could push the trial on his conduct past the 2024 election, potentially allowing him to order the charges be dropped if he wins the presidential race.
Journalist Mehdi Hasan said the court's refusal to intervene provides the latest proof that the Supreme Court will not "protect our rights and our democracy, and stand up to Trump should he win again next year and go full fascist."
- Special Counsel Asks SCOTUS to Rule on Trump Jan. 6 Case ›
- Trump Channels Nixon With 'Presidential Immunity' Defense in January 6 Case ›
- Jack Smith Seeks Ban on 'Political Attacks,' Disinformation at Trump Trial ›
- If Elected, Trump Threatens to Weaponize DOJ Against Biden ›
- Trump Claims Presidents 'Have Absolute Immunity,' But Judges Seem Skeptical ›
- 'Citizen Trump': Appeals Court Says No Immunity in Jan. 6 Case ›
- Trump Appeals Presidential Immunity Claim to US Supreme Court ›
- As Supreme Court Takes Trump Immunity Case, Clarence Thomas Urged to Recuse ›
- Opinion | The Supreme Court Is Doing Everything It Can to Get Trump Back in Office | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | The Supreme Court Is Not Going to Save Us From Donald Trump | Common Dreams ›
- Supreme Court Urged to Reject 'Intolerable and Dangerous' Trump Immunity Claim ›
- Supreme Court Urged to 'Rule Quickly' After Trump Immunity Arguments | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | Right-Wing Justices Plays Along With Farcical Ruse on Trump Immunity | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | The Supreme Court Justices Colluding With Trump to 'Catch and Kill' Insurrection Case | Common Dreams ›
- Opinion | Trump and O.J.: Delusional Psychos in Court Put America on Trial | Common Dreams ›