Donald Trump celebrates ‘victory for democracy’ after Supreme Court rules he has partial…

July 1, 2024, 5:08 p.m

Donald Trump welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling granting him some immunity from prosecution as a “victory for democracy.”

The former president, who is seeking a second term in November, said he was “proud to be an American” after a court ruled that former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for their official actions but no immunity for unofficial actions.

Trump has been charged for his role in the insurrection on January 6, 2021.

He is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to violate the right of Americans to vote, and corruptly obstructing an official proceeding and conspiracy thereto.

Despite the 6-3 decision, the court did not specify how exactly to apply the ruling, leaving that issue to lower courts.

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Judges must now decide whether Mr. Trump acted in an official or unofficial capacity on Jan. 6, when he was accused of encouraging his supporters to storm the Capitol.

“A GREAT VICTORY FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AMERICAN!”

The court’s three liberal justices disagreed with the majority opinion.

Sonia Sotomayor wrote: “Today’s decision to grant former presidents criminal immunity changes the institution of the office of president.

“It makes a mockery of the principle underlying our Constitution and system of government that no one is above the law.”

Ms. Sotomayor added: “In every exercise of official authority, the president is now a king above the law.” She concluded: “Out of concern for our democracy, I object.”

The former president of the Republican Party denies any irregularities. He said this accusation and three others were politically motivated and intended to prevent him from returning to the White House.

In May, Mr. Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a crime in a New York court. He was found guilty of falsifying business records to hide hush money paid during the 2016 presidential election to an adult film actress who claims she had sex with him, which he denies. He still faces three other indictments.

Smith heads two federal investigations into the former president that resulted in criminal charges. The Washington case centers on Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election after his loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

The Florida case involves mishandling classified documents. The second case, in Georgia, also involves Trump’s actions after his 2020 defeat.

If Trump’s trial in Washington doesn’t take place before the 2024 election and he doesn’t get another four years in the White House, he will likely face trial soon thereafter.

But if he wins, he could appoint an attorney general to seek dismissal of that case and other federal charges he faces. He could also try to pardon himself if he retakes the White House. He could not pardon himself for his conviction in New York state court.