The US Supreme Court’s decision to allow presidential immunity from prosecution for ‘official acts’ creates King Trump – 27 verdicts
After six months of deliberations, the US Supreme Court has upheld Donald Trump‘s argument that he is entitled to immunity against prosecution for acts deemed to be ‘official’ in his capacity as President.
The Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump is partly immune from prosecution on charges that he used his office to try to subvert the 2020 election, returning the case to the lower courts for additional analysis. See how they ruled on other recent cases: https://t.co/R45tu4YZNG pic.twitter.com/8UL9KbKpuL
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 1, 2024
This will indefinitely delay the Capitol Riot and 2020 Election trial in which Trump faces four counts related to alleged attempts to overturn the results of that election, including ‘conspiracy to defraud the US’.
Supreme Court rules Trump has some immunity in January 6 case, jeopardizing special counsel's trial before election https://t.co/4c0pdpYHrP
— CNN (@CNN) July 1, 2024
Repercussions
Trump has already said he would bring the Department of Justice under the power of the President on day one of his return to the White House, as part of Project 2025. Delaying the trial could mean he would never be prosecuted for any of his alleged crimes, if he is re-elected.
Today’s Supreme Court ruling achieves the requisite outcome. Which is to delay any potential trial to after trump can retake power and absolve and pardon himself and use the congress to kill all accountability.
— Luke Zaleski (@ZaleskiLuke) July 1, 2024
He confirmed that in a Truth Social post.
THE SUPREME COURT DECISION IS A MUCH MORE POWERFUL ONE THAN SOME HAD EXPECTED IT TO BE. IT IS BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN AND WISE, AND CLEARS THE STENCH FROM THE BIDEN TRIALS AND HOAXES, ALL OF THEM, THAT HAVE BEEN USED AS AN UNFAIR ATTACK ON CROOKED JOE BIDEN’S POLITICAL OPPONENT, ME.…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 1, 2024
It could also prove pretty devastating for anyone who has ever criticised the convicted felon in public.
A scenario laid out on @MSNBC: Trump could order Justice Department officials to open a sham investigation into his political rival and he would be immune from criminal prosecution. The officials below him could be held accountable, but Trump can pardon those officials.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 1, 2024
The American public must now understand, in the wake of today’s decision, that Trump would now enter office knowing for certain exactly how he can abuse power and commit crimes using the power of the federal government, something he did not know last time. A frightening prospect.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) July 1, 2024
Joe Biden gave an emergency address.
I will respect the limits of presidential powers that I have for three and a half years. But any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law.
I concur with what Justice Sotomayor wrote today:
"With fear for our democracy—I dissent."
So do I. pic.twitter.com/YmrPBMQhgY
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 2, 2024
Here’s what people have had to say about the shocking developments, some in deadly earnest and others more tongue in cheek.
1.
BREAKING NEWS
SCOTUS to Founding Fathers: "FU"
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) July 1, 2024
2.
At the end of the day, we are all Americans. Sure, we have differences on policy. One side wants to give everyone healthcare and good wages. The other wants to create a white Christian ethnostate where the president can legally assassinate anyone at will. But we are not enemies.
— Zack Bornstein (@ZackBornstein) July 1, 2024
3.
The criminal appointed 3 justices, and the justices ruled that the criminal should be king.
— Mark Jacob (@MarkJacob16) July 1, 2024
4.
BREAKING: The Supreme Court has ruled that the American Revolution was a waste of time.
— KD (@kdnerak33) July 1, 2024
5.
We all know how SCOTUS would decide what's an official vs unofficial act by a president. pic.twitter.com/Ce6GcATG7j
— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) July 1, 2024
6.
He got the Supreme Court to overturn abortion rights for women, Chevron to help promote corporate malfeasance, and give him immunity from most criminal acts. Another 4 years and maybe we will see what 1-2 more Trump appointed justices can do to the fabric of American society. pic.twitter.com/fz1QFfl4b7
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) July 1, 2024
7.
— mike luckovich (@mluckovichajc) April 30, 2024
8.
I don't really understand the logic that the President can now assassinate people he doesn't like but can't regulate smokestacks
— Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) July 1, 2024
9.
Wokesters want you to think #SCOTUSIsCorrupt, but accepting cash directly from Christ isn’t bribery, it’s making sure each ruling aligns with the gospels and Messiah Immunity. pic.twitter.com/6Hgyj2xyW3
— Gary Peterson (@GaryPetersonUSA) April 25, 2024
10.
Americans should have the entire week off for the 4th this year as a kind of “going out of business” blow-out
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) July 1, 2024
11.
I was raised by Republican parents who complained about “big government” meddling in the lives of Americans. Now Republicans want to digitally track pregnant women, ban books, and let the president stage a coup to stay in power. The GOP doesn’t want liberty – it wants power.
— Mark Jacob (@MarkJacob16) July 1, 2024
12.
look what SCOTUS is handing out today! pic.twitter.com/6HDgQmtEao
— Monica Lewinsky (she/her) (@MonicaLewinsky) July 1, 2024
13.
Trump v. United States (2024) pic.twitter.com/9mbkx745kZ
— Simplified SCOTUS (@SimpleSCOTUS) July 1, 2024
14.
SCOTUS: homeless people can’t sleep outside
SCOTUS: POTUS can’t forgive student debt
SCOTUS: women don’t have autonomy over their bodies
SCOTUS: EPA can’t regulate the water
SCOTUS: POTUS can assassinate his political opponent#AbortTheCourt
— Angry Staffer (@Angry_Staffer) July 1, 2024
15.
Thanks to the Supreme Court, the next president will have the powers of a king. That’s not what the founders intended. Quite the opposite.
Overturning Roe took power from women.
Today’s decision takes power from all of us.— Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 1, 2024
16.
When Trump is rounding up people with impunity and the imprimatur of the nation’s highest court at least folks will be able to take comfort in the fact the slightly older guy is no longer president.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 1, 2024
17.
It's sort of crazy to think that presidents are now allowed to commit crimes in office all because a cheesy, lying game show host once got the job without winning the popular vote.
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) July 2, 2024