The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a 6-3 decision that former President Donald Trump is entitled to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts undertaken during his presidency, but not for unofficial acts. The ruling sends Trump's case back to a lower court in Washington for further hearings, effectively delaying any potential trial until after the upcoming election. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, with all three liberal justices dissenting. This decision impacts ongoing cases, including those related to Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and the January 6th Capitol riot, overseen by Special Counsel Jack Smith and Judge Tanya Chutkan. The ruling underscores the principle that while a president cannot be prosecuted for exercising core constitutional powers, they are not above the law for actions outside their official duties.
