Foreign News
US Supreme Court Rules Trump Has Immunity For Official Actions
The United States Supreme Court, on Monday, ruled that former President, Donald Trump, has immunity for official actions taken while in office.
In a 6-3 ruling delivered, the majority decision dismissed the verdict of the lower court on the criminal charges filed against Trump over his conduct after the 2020 elections.
The ruling marked the first time since the nationās 18th-century founding that the Supreme Court has declared that former presidents may be shielded from criminal charges in any instance.
Chief Justice John Roberts announced the landmark decision on behalf of the courtās six-justice conservative majority. The courtās three liberal justices dissented.
The Supreme Court justices argued that enabling the prosecution of former presidents over their official acts in office could open the door for political retribution and despotism.
āThe President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official. The President is not above the law. But Congress may not criminalize the Presidentās conduct in carrying out the responsibilities of the Executive Branch under the Constitution,ā they wrote.
Recommended News:
- Acad Schools Group: Truly A Home Of Knowledge And Discoveries With Quality Education
- Ogun Bad Roads: Gbenga Daniel Calls For State Intervention
- Veteran Nollywood Actor, Olu Jacobs Not Dead ā Wife, Joke Silva
They stressed that the immunity does not apply just to Trump but āto all occupants of the Oval Office, regardless of politics, policy, or partyā.
Three of the six justices who backed the ruling were appointed by Trump himself.
Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor forcefully rejected the majorityās opinion on Monday, arguing that the ruling effectively legalizes abuse of power.
She wrote, āThe President of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the majorityās reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution.
āOrders the Navyās Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.ā
Trump in his reaction to the court ruling in a post on social media wrote, āBIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.ā