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The Supreme Court has ruled that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, leading to a delay in the criminal case against Donald Trump in Washington. This decision all but ensures that Trump will not be tried before the November election. The 6-3 ruling, with the conservative majority, narrowed the case against Trump and returned it to the trial court to determine the remaining charges. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that former presidents are entitled to immunity for official acts, but not for unofficial acts. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, arguing that the ruling makes presidents immune to criminal and treasonous acts, undermining the principle that no one is above the law.
Several Democrats, including Rep. Jamie Raskin, Sen. Ben Cardin, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, criticized the decision as damaging to democracy. Trump celebrated the ruling as a win for the Constitution and democracy on social media. Republican Larry Hogan, running for Senate in Maryland, did not comment on the ruling, while his opponent, Angela Alsobrooks, has tried to link him to Trump. President Biden’s campaign stated that the ruling does not change the facts of the Jan. 6 events. The court’s decision limits prosecutors from using official acts as evidence in cases against former presidents, adding complexity to possible trials. Overall, the ruling has raised concerns about the broad immunity granted to former presidents, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for future leaders seeking to avoid accountability.
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