Does immunity apply?
US Supreme Court accepts Donald Trump’s appeal
The US Supreme Court has accepted Donald Trump's appeal on the issue of the ex-president's immunity from prosecution. The Supreme Court announced that a hearing will now take place on April 22. The decision is a success for Trump.
This step leaves open whether and when the trial against the former president for attempted election fraud can begin in Washington. Trump's lawyers are trying to delay the start of a possible trial.
Trump has been charged in the US capital Washington in connection with attempted electoral fraud. Trump's supporters stormed the seat of parliament in Washington on 6 January 2021. Congress had convened there to formally confirm the victory of Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential election.
Trump had previously stirred up his supporters during a speech. Five people died as a result of the riots. Trump had already tried to overturn the election result on various levels before the storming of the Capitol. He still does not acknowledge his defeat against Biden and wants to move back into the White House after the presidential election in November.
Is the US president above the law?
Trump and his lawyers want the charges to be dropped. They are citing Trump's immunity in his former office as president. They argue that he cannot be legally prosecuted for acts that were part of his duties as president. They last failed with this argument before an appeals court in the US capital at the beginning of February. The court ruled that the 77-year-old Republican could be prosecuted for his actions in office. Trump has taken legal action against this decision at the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has now announced that it will examine "whether and, if so, to what extent a former president enjoys immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct allegedly related to official acts while in office".
Ruling has immense implications
Both sides will present their positions at the hearing. After that, it is likely to take several weeks for the court to reach a decision. The decision on protection from prosecution also has immense significance for future presidents. If they really do enjoy immunity, they could commit crimes in office without having to fear any consequences. However, it remains to be seen exactly what the Supreme Court's ruling will look like.
The judge in charge of the election fraud case had postponed the start of the trial indefinitely until the question of immunity had been finally clarified. The trial was originally scheduled to begin on March 4.
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