SCOTUS to Hear Trump's Immunity Appeal

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Facts

  • The conservative-majority US Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear Republican former Pres. Donald Trump's claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he committed as president.1
  • SCOTUS set the week of April 22 to hear oral arguments, with a decision expected by late June. Last year, it rejected a plea from US Dept. of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith to bypass the US Court of Appeals and hear the matter immediately.2
  • Though the court has previously acknowledged that US presidents are immune from civil liability, Trump — the frontrunner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination — is reportedly also seeking protection from criminal liability. The US Court of Appeals rejected his immunity claim earlier this month.3
  • Smith brought a four-count indictment against Trump in the case involving the former president's alleged role in attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.4
  • Trump on Truth Social posted his agreement with SCOTUS' decision to hear the case, and continued to contend presidents need immunity or they could be 'paralyzed by the prospect of wrongful prosecution and retaliation after they leave office.'5

Sources: 1CBS, 2FT.com, 3Sky News, 4Guardian and 5BBC News.

Narratives

  • Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by FOX News. This crucial case — which could determine the future of presidents to do their job free of fear of prosecution or coercive tactics by political opponents — is being fast-tracked to SCOTUS. The sides have just a few weeks to prepare their cases before the highest court in the land hears their arguments and then rules on this major issue.
  • Anti-Trump narrative, as provided by The New Republic. SCOTUS could hear this case today or tomorrow, but instead, it's slow-walking it, in effect dangerously granting Trump his immunity. This shouldn't be a surprise considering the conservative majority was shaped by Trump's three confirmed nominees. Now this case is unlikely to be resolved before the election, leaving voters without all the information they need and possibly leading to Trump killing it in his second term.

Predictions