Trump hush money sentencing delayed after Supreme Court gives ex-president substantial immunity: Live

Twice-impeached convicted felon and Republican presidential candidate handed huge win by conservative-majority bench

Biden slams Supreme Court immunity ruling

Manhattan prosecutors will not oppose Donald Trump’s request to delay his sentencing in his hush money trial after the Supreme Court ruled that the former president has “absolute” immunity from criminal prosecution for “official” acts as president.

In a letter to Justice Juan Merchan on Tuesday, prosecutors with the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Trump’s arguments are “without merit” but they do not oppose his request to push back the sentencing date as he files his legal arguments.

Joe Biden slammed the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity from criminal prosecution during an address to the nation from the White House on Monday evening.

“For all practical purposes, today’s decision almost certainly means that there are virtually no limits on what a president can do,” the Democrat said.

“This is a fundamentally new principle. And it’s a dangerous precedent.”

The 6-3 majority decision was opposed by all three liberal justices on the bench, with Sonia Sotomayor warning in her dissent: “The president is now a king above the law.”

Biden is still struggling to calm Democrats following his disastrous debate performance last week. There are concerns with the party about his electability and impact on down-ticket candidates.

Key Points

• Supreme Court awards Donald Trump some immunity from prosecution
• Trump says SCOTUS decision should end all cases against him
• Where do the Trump prosecutions stand after Monday’s dramatic ruling?
• Dissenting liberal justice: ‘The president is now a king above the law’
• Congressman promises constitutional amendment to ‘reverse’ immunity ruling

[1 July 2024 19:15 · Oliver O'Connell]

Full story: Supreme Court grants Trump immunity for ‘official’ acts in landmark ruling that will delay trial

Former presidents have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official actions, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday – extending the delay in the criminal case against Donald Trump on charges he plotted to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss, and all but ending prospects he could be tried before the November election.

In a 6-3 decision released on Monday, the court rejected Trump’s suggestion of total immunity but said some of the actions laid out in the federal election interference indictment related to his official acts and are protected.

Ariana Baio and Alex Woodward report:

[1 July 2024 19:06 · Oliver O'Connell]

Trump says Biden should call off his ‘dogs'

[1 July 2024 18:53 · Oliver O'Connell]

DNC: Only Biden stands between Trump and threats to our democracy

“Today’s ruling only underscores the stakes of this election – this is not just about partisan politics, this is about freedom. Here are the facts: on January 6, Donald Trump inspired a mob of violent insurrectionists, who attempted to overturn the results of a free and fair election. He has repeatedly put himself above our democracy, our constitution, and the American people. It’s hard to believe, but Trump has only become more unhinged in the years since he lost to Joe Biden, promising to be a dictator on ‘day one,’ suggesting the ‘termination’ of our Constitution to overturn valid election results, and warning of a ‘bloodbath’ if he loses again. The only thing standing between Donald Trump and his threats to our democracy is President Biden – and the American people will stand once again on the side of democracy this November.”

— Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison

[1 July 2024 18:35 · Oliver O'Connell]

ACLU: Decision undermines ability to hold elected official accountable

“Our nation, including the District of Columbia, is governed by the rule of law, not kings,” said Monica Hopkins, executive director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia. “As we stated in our brief, there are few propositions more dangerous in a democracy than the notion that an elected head of state is above the law. Upholding the rule of law protects individual rights and prevents abuse of power by ensuring equal treatment and accountability. The Constitution does not give the President a special license to violate criminal law. Today’s ruling substantially undermines the ability to hold elected officials accountable and threatens longstanding principles undergirding our democracy.”

[1 July 2024 18:30 · Oliver O'Connell]

Read the Supreme Court’s ruling on Trump’s presidential immunity in full

The Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump, and any future president, has some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts undertaken as president.

While the nation’s highest court rejected the former president’s suggestion of total immunity, in a 6-3 ruling the justices said that some actions – those deemed official acts – are protected.

Former presidents, however, have no immunity for unofficial acts – or conduct undertaken in private.

Here is the decision in full:

[1 July 2024 18:15 · Oliver O'Connell]

Barrett says organizing alternative slates of electors ‘private’ and not protected

In a footnote of her concurring opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett writes: “Sorting private from official conduct sometimes will be difficult—but not always. Take the President’s alleged attempt to organize alternative slates of electors. In my view, that conduct is private and therefore not entitled to protection.”