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The Supreme Court released final opinions for the term Monday. Among them was a highly anticipated ruling regarding President Donald Trump’s immunity from prosecution over his involvement with the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.
In a 6-3 decision, the court said the president has “absolute immunity” from prosecution for official acts as president. They sent the case back to a lower court to determine what constitutes an official act, making it unlikely the case goes to trial ahead of the presidential election in November.
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The court has weighed in on abortion, guns, homelessness and the environment in a final flurry of opinions over the past week.
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That's A Wrap
That's a wrap for HuffPost's live blog on the Supreme Court's ruling in the Trump immunity case. We have more live updates on the 2024 presidential race here.
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Authoritarianism Expert Calls SCOTUS Ruling 'Unspeakable'
Authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat told MSNBC’s “Deadline: White House” the Supreme Court ruling that presidents should enjoy total immunity for official acts is "unspeakable."
“It’s about transforming the rule of law into ‘rule by the lawless,’” Ben-Ghiat said. “And so removing immunity from the head of state is the autocrat’s fantasy. It’s why Trump admires Xi Jinping and [Vladimir] Putin and all those autocrats, because that’s his fantasy, because he is so corrupt.”
Read more on Ben-Ghiat's interview below.
“It’s about transforming the rule of law into ‘rule by the lawless,’” Ben-Ghiat said. “And so removing immunity from the head of state is the autocrat’s fantasy. It’s why Trump admires Xi Jinping and [Vladimir] Putin and all those autocrats, because that’s his fantasy, because he is so corrupt.”
Read more on Ben-Ghiat's interview below.
Ex-Federal Prosecutor Describes Moment That Changed Atmosphere In The Courtroom
Former federal prosecutor Shan Wu painted the scene inside the Supreme Court as justices delivered their decision in the presidential immunity case.
Wu told CNN the moment that "changed the atmosphere in the courtroom" was when Justice Sonia Sotomayor started to read her dissent.
"There was much more tension in the courtroom and she really ratcheted up the drama by actually turning towards the conservative side, looking right at [Chief Justice John] Roberts at certain moments," Wu said. "And the fascinating thing to me, he never looked back at her."
Wu told CNN the moment that "changed the atmosphere in the courtroom" was when Justice Sonia Sotomayor started to read her dissent.
"There was much more tension in the courtroom and she really ratcheted up the drama by actually turning towards the conservative side, looking right at [Chief Justice John] Roberts at certain moments," Wu said. "And the fascinating thing to me, he never looked back at her."
Trump Urges Merrick Garland To Throw Out Jan. 6 Case
In one of his latest posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the Supreme Court gave special counsel Jack Smith "a high level SPANKING!" with yesterday's ruling in the presidential immunity case.
The former president then turned his ire to Attorney General Merrick Garland, claiming his reputation has been destroyed by "his constant defense of Crooked Joe," in reference to Biden.
"Garland ought to call an end to this never ending HOAX, and let people focus on bringing back Greatness to America!" Trump wrote.
The former president then turned his ire to Attorney General Merrick Garland, claiming his reputation has been destroyed by "his constant defense of Crooked Joe," in reference to Biden.
"Garland ought to call an end to this never ending HOAX, and let people focus on bringing back Greatness to America!" Trump wrote.
Harvard Law Professor Calls Supreme Court Ruling 'A Prescription For Autocracy'
Harvard constitutional law professor Laurence Tribe said the Supreme Court's decision in the presidential immunity case sets a dangerous precedent, calling it "a prescription for autocracy and eventually for authoritarianism and dictatorship."
Read more on Tribe's comments to MSNBC here.
Read more on Tribe's comments to MSNBC here.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Pelosi Says SCOTUS Gave Trump A 'Political Gift'
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the Supreme Court "has gone rogue with its decision" to afford Trump immunity for "official acts."
Pelosi said the ruling violates "the foundational American principle that no one is above the law."
"A seriously dangerous aspect of the ruling is its holding that official acts are inadmissible in trials for unofficial acts," Pelosi wrote in a statement. "With its delay, the Republican-appointed 6-3 Court gave the defendant a political gift."
“The Supreme Court placed itself on trial with this decision – and its credibility has been further diminished in the eyes of all those who believe in the rule of law," she continued.
Pelosi said the ruling violates "the foundational American principle that no one is above the law."
"A seriously dangerous aspect of the ruling is its holding that official acts are inadmissible in trials for unofficial acts," Pelosi wrote in a statement. "With its delay, the Republican-appointed 6-3 Court gave the defendant a political gift."
“The Supreme Court placed itself on trial with this decision – and its credibility has been further diminished in the eyes of all those who believe in the rule of law," she continued.
Trump Lawyer Says Organizing Fake Slates Of Electors Constitutes Official Act
Will Scharf, a lawyer for Trump, said the former president's legal team will argue organizing fake slates of electors constitutes an official act of the presidency over which Trump enjoys complete immunity based on the Supreme Court's decision.
"Alternate slates of electors have been a method used by previous presidents, most notably Ulysses S. Grant, to ensure the integrity of prior elections," Scharf told CNN's "The Source." "So we believe the assembly of those alternate slates of electors was an official act of the presidency."
"The Supreme Court has reserved this issue for determination by the district court and we'll see how arguments fall in front of the district court," Scharf added.
"Alternate slates of electors have been a method used by previous presidents, most notably Ulysses S. Grant, to ensure the integrity of prior elections," Scharf told CNN's "The Source." "So we believe the assembly of those alternate slates of electors was an official act of the presidency."
"The Supreme Court has reserved this issue for determination by the district court and we'll see how arguments fall in front of the district court," Scharf added.
Lawrence O’Donnell Says Ruling Could Backfire For Donald Trump
MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell predicted Monday the Supreme Court’s decision could soon backfire for the former president.
“The very bad news for Donald Trump in this decision today, and for candidate Trump ― very, very bad ― is that Mike Pence is going to walk into a federal courtroom, raise his right hand, take an oath to tell the truth and testify against Donald Trump in this case in September,” he predicted.
O’Donnell went on to note that any evidentiary hearings in the Jan. 6 case would be “exactly like a prosecution” and could embarrass Trump in the weeks leading up to the November election.
Read more here:
“The very bad news for Donald Trump in this decision today, and for candidate Trump ― very, very bad ― is that Mike Pence is going to walk into a federal courtroom, raise his right hand, take an oath to tell the truth and testify against Donald Trump in this case in September,” he predicted.
O’Donnell went on to note that any evidentiary hearings in the Jan. 6 case would be “exactly like a prosecution” and could embarrass Trump in the weeks leading up to the November election.
Read more here:
Supreme Court Decision Gives Joe Biden Legal OK To Assassinate Donald Trump
Legal experts said Monday the Supreme Court’s recent decision that Trump has full immunity for “official acts” appears to mean that, despite the authoritarian way it sounds, Biden could theoretically order the assassination of his rival and be immune from prosecution.
“Presumptively, he has the power to assassinate a rival,” John Dean, who was White House counsel to former President Richard Nixon, told HuffPost on a call Monday.
Dean went on to say the ruling also raised questions about immunity for those in the White House who carry out a president’s “official” but criminal activities.
Read more here:
“Presumptively, he has the power to assassinate a rival,” John Dean, who was White House counsel to former President Richard Nixon, told HuffPost on a call Monday.
Dean went on to say the ruling also raised questions about immunity for those in the White House who carry out a president’s “official” but criminal activities.
Read more here:
Joe Biden Delivers Ominous Closing To Trump Immunity Remarks
Biden ended his remarks on an ominous note.“May God help preserve our democracy,” he said before walking away from the podium.
The line echoes the closing line of Sotomayor’s minority opinion. “With fear for our democracy, I dissent,” she wrote.
The line echoes the closing line of Sotomayor’s minority opinion. “With fear for our democracy, I dissent,” she wrote.
Read More On Joe Biden's Remarks About The Trump Immunity Ruling
Biden’s remarks at the White House on Monday evening come amid intense scrutiny regarding his political future.
Read more:
Read more:
Joe Biden Says This Is Only Supreme Court’s Latest Grave Error
Biden came down hard on the Supreme Court, saying this is only the latest erroneous decision from the court packed with Trump nominees.
“This decision today has continued the court's attack in recent years on a wide range of long established legal principles in our nation, from gutting voting rights and civil rights to taking away a woman's right to choose,” he said.
“This decision today has continued the court's attack in recent years on a wide range of long established legal principles in our nation, from gutting voting rights and civil rights to taking away a woman's right to choose,” he said.
Joe Biden: SCOTUS Ruling Makes Donald Trump Even More Dangerous
Biden warned Americans that with the court’s new ruling, another Trump presidency will pose an even greater threat.
“It will depend on the character of the men and women who hold that presidency that are going to define the limits of the power of the presidency, because the law will no longer do it,” he continued. “I know I will respect the limits of the presidential powers – I have for three and a half years – but any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law.”
“It will depend on the character of the men and women who hold that presidency that are going to define the limits of the power of the presidency, because the law will no longer do it,” he continued. “I know I will respect the limits of the presidential powers – I have for three and a half years – but any president, including Donald Trump, will now be free to ignore the law.”
Donald Trump’s Attorneys Move To Throw Out Hush Money Conviction
Trump’s lawyers asked a judge to postpone his sentencing following his conviction on all counts in his Manhattan hush money trial, citing Monday’s Supreme Court decision.
The attorneys said they planned to file a motion to overturn the verdict while the judge considers if the high court’s ruling will impact the conviction. But the gambit may be far-fetched as the Supreme Court’s decision only protects a president’s actions while in office, not while they are a candidate.
The New York Times notes it may be too late for the judge to revisit the conviction anyways as a deadline to file post-trial motions has already passed. The publication added the judge may instruct the former president’s attorneys to raise their concerns during an eventual appeal.
Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in 10 days.
The attorneys said they planned to file a motion to overturn the verdict while the judge considers if the high court’s ruling will impact the conviction. But the gambit may be far-fetched as the Supreme Court’s decision only protects a president’s actions while in office, not while they are a candidate.
The New York Times notes it may be too late for the judge to revisit the conviction anyways as a deadline to file post-trial motions has already passed. The publication added the judge may instruct the former president’s attorneys to raise their concerns during an eventual appeal.
Trump is scheduled to be sentenced in 10 days.
Joe Biden Slams Ruling, Says It Fundamentally Changes America’s Founding Principles
Biden spoke for several minutes from the White House in response to the Supreme Court ruling, slamming it as an attack on fundamental American principles.
“This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America. Each, each of us is equal before the law. No one – no one is above the law, not even the president of United States,” Biden said.
“Today's Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity that fundamentally changed for all for all practical purposes, today's decision almost certainly means that there are virtually no limits what the President can do," he continued.
“This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America. Each, each of us is equal before the law. No one – no one is above the law, not even the president of United States,” Biden said.
“Today's Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity that fundamentally changed for all for all practical purposes, today's decision almost certainly means that there are virtually no limits what the President can do," he continued.
Top Democrat Will Introduce Amendment To Reverse Supreme Court Decision
Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, said Monday he would introduce a constitutional amendment that would reverse the impacts of the Supreme Court’s decision.
“I will introduce a constitutional amendment to reverse SCOTUS’ harmful immunity decision and ensure that no president is above the law. This amendment will do what SCOTUS failed to do – prioritize our democracy,” Morelle said in a statement. “The former president must be held accountable for his decisions."
"I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and stand with me on the front line to protect our democracy.”
“I will introduce a constitutional amendment to reverse SCOTUS’ harmful immunity decision and ensure that no president is above the law. This amendment will do what SCOTUS failed to do – prioritize our democracy,” Morelle said in a statement. “The former president must be held accountable for his decisions."
"I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and stand with me on the front line to protect our democracy.”
Joe Biden To Speak Soon On SCOTUS Immunity Ruling
The White House just announced that Biden will deliver remarks on the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling at 7:45 p.m. ET. He’ll speak from Cross Hall, a wide hallway on the first floor of the White House.
Donald Trump Praises 'Powerful,' 'Brilliantly Written And Wise' SCOTUS Ruling In All-Caps Post
In an all-caps post on Truth Social, Trump praised the Supreme Court's ruling and reiterated that the dozens of “fake” charges against him should “disappear."
“THE SUPREME COURT DECISION IS A MUCH MORE POWERFUL ONE THAN SOME HAD EXPECTED IT TO BE,” he wrote on his social media platform. “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. MANY OF THESE FAKE CASES WILL NOW DISAPPEAR, OR WITHER INTO OBSCURITY. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
“THE SUPREME COURT DECISION IS A MUCH MORE POWERFUL ONE THAN SOME HAD EXPECTED IT TO BE,” he wrote on his social media platform. “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. MANY OF THESE FAKE CASES WILL NOW DISAPPEAR, OR WITHER INTO OBSCURITY. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
John Dean Stunned By Trump Immunity Ruling
Former President Richard Nixon’s counsel John Dean said Monday that the Supreme Court’s decision that Donald Trump has full immunity for “official” actions he took as president — even his attempted coup — likely would have meant that Nixon was immune from his criminal conduct during the Watergate scandal that led to his resignation.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Sen. Sanders Urges ‘Corporate-Sponsored Justices’ To Quit, Run For Office
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) urged “right-wing, corporate-sponsored” justices to bow out and run for political office while branding the court as “out of control.”
“If these conservative justices want to make public policy, they should simply quit the Supreme Court and run for political office,” he said in a statement that also called for an enforceable code of ethics as “a start” in any “real” Supreme Court reform.
Sanders ticked off a list of recent decisions by the justices as justification for his opposition, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the court’s more recent overturning of protections to homeless people sleeping outdoors.
“If these conservative justices want to make public policy, they should simply quit the Supreme Court and run for political office,” he said in a statement that also called for an enforceable code of ethics as “a start” in any “real” Supreme Court reform.
Sanders ticked off a list of recent decisions by the justices as justification for his opposition, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the court’s more recent overturning of protections to homeless people sleeping outdoors.
Rep. Ilhan Omar Says SCOTUS Can’t Be Trusted
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) condemned the Supreme Court’s Monday decision and sounded the alarm about the state of American democracy.
“The Supreme Court can no longer be trusted to uphold the Constitution,” one member of the “The Squad” posted on X, formerly Twitter. “If Donald Trump is reelected, this convicted felon, rapist, and twice-impeached former President will be able to do whatever the hell he wants.”
“It’s a scary day for American democracy,” she added.
“The Supreme Court can no longer be trusted to uphold the Constitution,” one member of the “The Squad” posted on X, formerly Twitter. “If Donald Trump is reelected, this convicted felon, rapist, and twice-impeached former President will be able to do whatever the hell he wants.”
“It’s a scary day for American democracy,” she added.