TRUMP SCORES 'BIG WIN' AS COURT RULES HE HAS SOME IMMUNITY IN ELECTION INTERFERENCE CASE

Ex-President Donald Trump claimed a ‘big win’ as the US Supreme Court ruled that he has some immunity in his election interference case – likely delaying the trial.

Justices in a 6-3 vote along partisan lines on Monday morning decided to reject Trump’s broad claim of immunity, but said he is entitled to substantial immunity from prosecution for some of his actions while president.

‘Big win for our Constitution and democracy,’ wrote Trump in all capital letters on his Truth Social platform. ‘Proud to be an American.’

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said that Trump has at least presumptive immunity for his acts while serving in the White House.

That includes Trump being prosecuted for communications with Vice President Mike Pence leading up to the January 6 Capitol riot, said Roberts. Trump and Pence had a falling out after Pence refused follow his orders to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election results.

‘The president is not above the law,’ wrote Roberts. ‘But Congress may not criminalize the president’s conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the executive branch under the Constitution.’

Lower courts must conduct further proceedings to determine which actions the ex-president can be prosecuted for, according to Roberts.

The ruling adds another challenge for special counsel Jack Smith, who is prosecuting the case on Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The high court also ruled that conduct that Trump has immunity for cannot be included as evidence in the impending trial.

It almost certainly will delay Trump’s election interference trial until after the 2024 election taking place in November.

Writing for the court’s three dissenting liberals, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the ruling ‘makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of government that no man is above the law’.

‘Let the president violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends,’ wrote Sotomayor.

‘Because if he knew that he may one day face liability for breaking the law, he might not be as bold and fearless as we would like him to be. That is the majority’s message today.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more by signing up to Metro's News Updates newsletter

2024-07-01T15:58:42Z dg43tfdfdgfd