Official Supreme Court rulings and legal analyses

Supreme Court Grants Trump Substantial Immunity in 6-3 Ruling; Sentencing Delayed

Jul 2, 2024, 01:35 PM

The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling granting former President Donald Trump substantial immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts conducted while in office. This decision, delivered in a 6-3 vote along ideological lines and written by Chief Justice John Roberts, has significant implications for Trump's ongoing legal battles, including his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and his recent conviction in a Manhattan hush money case. Following the ruling, Trump's legal team has moved to overturn his Manhattan conviction, citing the new immunity protections. Manhattan prosecutors, led by Alvin Bragg, have agreed to delay Trump's sentencing, which was originally scheduled for July 11, to September 18, to allow time for the court to consider the impact of the Supreme Court's decision. The ruling, which aligns with an amicus brief from the ACLJ and has drawn criticism from Justice Sonia Sotomayor, has sparked controversy and debate about the extent of presidential immunity and its implications for accountability and the rule of law. Special Counsel Jack Smith's prosecution efforts are also critically impacted by this ruling.