The Supreme Court will consider Trump's claims of presidential immunity

2024-02-29 07:51:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to consider whether former President Trump can be prosecuted on charges of meddling in the 2020 election. The court said a decision could be made soon.

The decision freezes the proceedings of a trial centered on Mr. Trump's efforts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden. The Supreme Court will hear the arguments at the end of April, while it is expected that the decision will be taken by the end of June.

An unsigned statement from the Supreme Court states that the highest legal body in the United States will consider, "whether, and if so, to what extent a former president enjoys presidential immunity from prosecution for actions which supposedly included official acts during the term in the White House".

The Supreme Court has maintained that presidents enjoy immunity from civil prosecution related to decisions made during their time in office. Mr. Trump's lawyers have argued for months that this protection should be extended to cases of criminal prosecutions.

Lower courts have rejected Mr. Trump's claims that former presidents enjoy absolute immunity for actions taken while in office.

In early February, an appeals court in the US capital ruled that Judge Tanya Chutkan, who will preside over the election interference trial, made the right decision to continue the case and that Mr Trump could be prosecuted for actions taken during term in the White House and on the eve of January 6, 2021, when a crowd of Mr. Trump's supporters attacked the Congress building.

The case is separate from another case being heard by the Supreme Court regarding Mr. Trump's appeal to have his name placed on the November presidential ballot despite efforts to disqualify him over his actions after losing the election. of 2020.

During arguments on February 8, the court appeared likely to side with Mr Trump. The decision can be expected soon.

In April, the Supreme Court will hear arguments from one of more than 1,200 individuals accused of rioting at the Capitol in January 2021. The case could lead to the dismissal of a charge that prosecutors have brought against more than 300 individuals, including Mr. Trump.

The election interference case, which is being prosecuted by special counsel Jack Smith, is one of four cases Mr Trump faces as he runs to retake the White House.

The New York trial on charges that he paid porn star Stormy Danaels to keep her quiet is scheduled to begin on March 25.

Mr. Trump has also been sued in Florida on federal charges that he illegally kept classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence, a case also being investigated by Mr. Smith. The trial of the case is expected to begin in May.

Mr. Trump has also been indicted in the state of Georgia on charges of tampering with the purpose of overturning the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in that state. He rejected the accusations./ Voa