WASHINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court found on Monday that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for official actions taken as president, but can for private acts, in a landmark ruling recognizing for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.

  • Coffee Addict@lemmy.worldOPM
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    6 days ago

    WASHINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court found on Monday that Donald Trump cannot be prosecuted for official actions taken as president, but can for private acts, in a landmark ruling recognizing for the first time any form of presidential immunity from prosecution.

    The justices, in a 6-3 ruling written by Chief Justice John Roberts, threw out a lower court’s decision rejecting Trump’s claim of immunity from criminal charges involving his efforts to undo his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.

    The court’s six conservative justices were in the majority and its three liberal justices dissented.

    “We conclude that under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of presidential power requires that former president have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office,” Roberts wrote.

    “At least with respect to the president’s exercise of his core constitutional powers, this immunity must be absolute. As for his remaining official actions, he is also entitled to immunity,” Roberts added.

    Roberts said Trump’s case will be sent back to the lower courts for further review.

    Well, at least it’s not total immunity, but it’s still leaves room for the President to take advantage of the position for personal gain (or, in Trump’s case, undermine the nation for personal gain).

    It also should never have taken this long to render a decision.