Supreme Court to Decide on Trump's Presidential Immunity

Skylar Hawthorne

Updated Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 12:04 PM CDT

Supreme Court to Decide on Trump's Presidential Immunity

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by former President Donald Trump, who is contesting the scope of presidential immunity from criminal prosecution, particularly for actions taken during his administration in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. The high-stakes case, set for oral arguments during the week of April 22, has significant implications for Trump's legal woes and his potential run in the 2024 presidential election.

Trump is currently facing a four-count indictment in Washington DC, which includes charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of congressional certification of election results, as per Special Counsel Jack Smith's findings. A previous ruling by a three-judge panel at the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit rejected Trump’s claim for absolute immunity, a position also upheld by US District Judge Tanya Chutkan. The Supreme Court's involvement has paused the proceedings, with a decision not expected until possibly the end of July, delaying the trial until at least late September.

Amid these developments, Trump also confronts financial legal challenges, with an appellate court judge denying his request to lower a $454 million bond in a civil fraud case in New York. Trump's lawyers have argued that the full amount is impossible to raise, proposing a $100 million payment instead. However, New York Attorney General Letitia James stands firm on the full bond amount, with Judge Anil Singh of the New York appellate court ruling that Trump must post the bond for the full judgment, which includes a three-year prohibition on Trump running a corporation in New York.

Trump is appealing Judge Arthur Engoron’s ruling that ordered him to pay for gains from overstating the value of his real estate assets, which also barred him from doing business in New York for three years. If Trump fails to secure the bond by March 25, he risks accruing over $100,000 daily in interest. The appellate court will decide the bond amount Trump must post to avoid paying the full judgment while appealing.

In a separate twist, defense lawyers are attempting to discredit the testimony of a key witness, Bradley, in a case involving the start of a romantic relationship between two individuals, Willis and Wade. Trump's legal team has filed a motion to admit cellphone records that allegedly show Willis and Wade lied about when their relationship began, hiring private investigator Charles Mittelstadt to track Wade's cellphone activity.

The outcome of the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity could set the stage for the timing of Trump's trial for federal election interference, potentially beginning as early as August or September. With 87 days of "defense preparation time" remaining, the earliest Trump could go to trial in Washington is by adding these days to the date of the Supreme Court's final decision.

Trump's sons, Eric and Donald Jr., are currently allowed to remain in control of the Trump Organization during the appeal process. However, the former president faces a multitude of financial obligations, owing over half a billion dollars in various cases, including an $83.3 million loss in a defamation case and the civil fraud trial verdict. Trump has labeled the $464 million fine as unconstitutional, arguing that the lawsuit unfairly targeted him without showing harm to any victims.

As the legal battles continue, the Supreme Court's decision on the extent of Trump's presidential immunity could have far-reaching consequences for his political and financial future. The appellate court's panel will review written arguments and is expected to reach a decision on the bond within several weeks. Meanwhile, the political landscape watches closely, as these legal proceedings could significantly influence the former president's capacity to participate in the upcoming election cycle.

Conservative Bias:

Folks, what we have here is a witch hunt of epic proportions, a judicial circus orchestrated by the leftists and their cronies in the courts to derail President Trump, a man who has done nothing but fight for the American people against the swamp of Washington D.C. These baseless accusations and lawsuits are nothing more than a desperate attempt by the liberal elite to cling to power by any means necessary, including t****ling over the sacred principle of presidential immunity. They can't stand the fact that Trump represents the will of the people and that he's poised to make a triumphant return in 2024, so they're using their activist judges and politically motivated prosecutors to concoct charges and hit him with astronomical fines. It's clear as day, my friends – this is an unconstitutional assault on not just a former President but on every single American who voted for him.

Liberal Bias:

In a stunning display of corruption and abuse of power, the Supreme Court, now stacked with conservative ideologues, is poised to make a mockery of justice by potentially shielding the disgraced former President Trump from the consequences of his own actions. This is a man who has blatantly defied the rule of law, attempting to subvert our democracy and now, his cronies on the bench are considering granting him immunity? It's an outrage! Meanwhile, Trump's financial misdeeds are laid bare for all to see, with his empire built on lies and deceit, yet he continues to evade true accountability with the help of his deep-pocketed enablers. This isn't just about one man's criminal behavior; it's about the soul of our nation and whether we will allow the rich and powerful to play by a different set of rules. The conservative movement's complicity in Trump's misdeeds is a clear signal that they are willing to sacrifice the very foundations of our democracy to protect their golden boy.

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