The U.S. Supreme Court justices engaged in a heated debate on Thursday as they questioned a lawyer representing former President Donald Trump on his claim of immunity from prosecution for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump, who is facing four election-related criminal charges, appealed after lower courts rejected his request for immunity, arguing that he was acting as president when the alleged actions took place.
During the hearing, Trump’s lawyer, D. John Sauer, argued that without presidential immunity, the presidency as we know it would be compromised. He emphasized that no president in the history of the United States has ever been prosecuted for their official acts, and that the threat of prosecution could hinder a president’s decision-making process.
The justices, including conservative Clarence Thomas and John Roberts, as well as liberal Sonia Sotomayor, raised probing questions about the source of presidential immunity and hypothetical scenarios involving criminal acts by a president.
Trump, who is the first former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution, has pleaded not guilty in this case and three others. He was not present at the Supreme Court hearing as he was attending a trial in New York related to hush money paid to a porn star before the 2016 election.
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority, which includes three justices appointed by Trump, will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this case. A ruling is expected by the end of June, which could impact Trump’s trial schedule and potentially his political future. The decision could also have implications for the broader issue of presidential immunity and the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches of government.