Trump immunity case: read supreme court’s decision in full
The 6-3 supreme court ruling says Donald Trump has absolute immunity for his core constitutional powers. The decision fell along party lines
The supreme court has ruled that a former president has absolute immunity for his core constitutional powers. The decision fell along party lines, with six conservative justices ruling against three liberal ones.
But the court finds that former presidents are not entitled to immunity from prosecution for actions taken in a private capacity.
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.
Today's decision to grant former Presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the Presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law.
Because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent.
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