Supreme Court Decision on Presidential Immunity
On July 1, 2024, the U. S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) rendered its decision regarding Donald Trump's claim of "Presidential Immunity" from criminal prosecution for actions performed within the outer perimeter of his official responsibilities, and that the indictment’s allegations fell within the core of his official duties. (From 1st paragraph of decision.)
The Court held that "Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of Presidential power entitles a former President to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority. And he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts. There is no immunity for unofficial acts.
Definitions (Source Dictionary.Cambridge.org):
Preclusive - preventing something from happening, or making it impossible for it to happen.
Conclusive - proving that something is true, or ending any doubt
The articles below describe the potential effects of the ruling on Trump's cases (January 6th case in Washington, D.C.; the Georgia election fraud case; the recently decided Manhattan, N.Y. business fraud case)
One thing is for certain, both the Washington, D.C. and Georgia cases will be delayed until after the November election as the prosecutors must revise their cases to take this ruling into account.
After the articles is a copy of the official 8-page SCOTUS Opinion Summary.
Source Article Citations:
"What Supreme Court’s immunity ruling means for Trump’s cases and, potentially, future presidents"
PolitiFact (The Poynter Institute)
By: Louis Jacobson and Amy Sherman
July 2, 2024
https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/jul/01/what-the-supreme-courts-immunity-ruling-means-for/
"What does the Supreme Court immunity ruling mean for Trump? 6 questions answered"
PBS News online / Politics
By: Joshua Barajas and Erica R. Hendry
Jul 1, 2024 5:01 PM EDT
Here is the opinion summary of the U.S. Supreme Court's (SCOTUS) decision regarding Trump v. United States. The case was argued before SCOTUS on April 25, 2024 and decided on July 1, 2024. Cited as: 603 U. S. ____ (2024); No. 23-939.
The opinion summary provides an overview of the case and the decision (holding). A brief explanation of the issues before the courts with the majority's holding on each issue.
I have used multiple highlight colors to help read the decision. I alternate yellow and green for most of the sentences. Tan is used to reflect the indictments as understood by the Court. Blue-gray is used to identify the Court's decisions. Brown is used to identify Trump's siting of the Impeachment Judgment Clause as a reason to dismiss the criminal case.
Note that the pages referenced within the document are for the supporting detail within the decision.