Supreme Court weighs Trump’s immunity claim

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Supreme Court heard arguments in a historic case focusing on presidential immunity.

At issue is whether former president Donald Trump is immune from criminal prosecution for what he claims were official acts while in office.

This decision will likely have implications on the special counsel’s election interference case against Trump as well as this year’s presidential race.

Attorneys representing Trump argued the former president is immune to federal charges accusing him of scheming to overturn the 2020 election.

The justices appeared skeptical of Trump’s attorney’s arguments of broad immunity.

“If the president decides that his rival is a corrupt person and he orders the military or orders someone to assassinate him, is that within his official acts for which he can get immunity?” asked Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

An attorney representing the Department of Justice says Trump’s claim has no foundation in the constitution.

The former president was in New York attending his criminal hush money trial, but he shared his thoughts about the Supreme Court case.

“A president has to have immunity. You don’t have a president immunity, or you don’t have a president. At most you could say it is a ceremonial president,” Trump said.

The justices acknowledge their ruling will impact the future of the presidency.

A ruling in yesterday’s cases could come between now and mid-summer.

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