Supreme Court Grants Trump Partial Immunity, Delays Trial

The US Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump has partial immunity from prosecution for official acts during his presidency, delaying his trial related to the 2020 election conspiracy. The 6-3 decision splits along ideological lines and returns the case to a lower court. Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized that while a president is not above the law, he does have absolute immunity for official actions. Justice Sonia Sotomayor and the dissenting justices expressed deep concerns for democracy.

WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump has some immunity from prosecution for official actions taken while in office, delaying his trial for conspiring to overturn the 2020 election.

The 6-3 decision was ideologically split, coming four months before the 2024 presidential election in which Trump is the Republican candidate.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, stated that a president has 'absolute immunity' from criminal prosecution for official acts but not for unofficial acts.

The decision has delayed Trump's trial, originally set for March 4, making proceedings before November unlikely.

Trump faces charges of conspiracy to defraud the US, obstructing an official proceeding, and denying Americans the right to vote.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, dissenting, expressed concern for democracy, stating that the ruling makes the president 'a king above the law.' The case will return to a lower court to determine which charges are official or unofficial conduct.

Biden's Deputy Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks criticized the decision, while the White House announced President Biden would respond publicly.