Supreme Court to hear Trump's bid for criminal immunity
The Supreme Court will hear argument in former President Donald Trump's historic bid for criminal immunity on Thursday. The question before the justices is whether Trump can be tried on criminal charges that he conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The court's answer will determine not only whether Trump's trial in Washington, D.C., before U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan can go forward but also whether the former president's trials in Florida and Georgia can proceed. Jury selection is currently underway in a Manhattan courtroom, where Trump is being tried on charges that he broke state law when he made a "hush money" payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels so that she would remain silent about her alleged affair with Trump as the 2016 presidential election approached.
The debate over Trump's immunity claims centers on whether a president can be criminally charged for actions taken while in office. Trump's lawyers argue that presidential immunity should apply unless the president has been impeached and convicted by the Senate for the same charges. They also emphasize the need to protect the integrity of the election and prevent political opponents from retaliating against a president through criminal prosecution.
On the other hand, those opposed to Trump's immunity claim argue that presidential immunity should not apply in this case since Trump has not been impeached and convicted by the Senate. They also highlight the need to hold presidents accountable for illegal actions and prevent them from acting with impunity.
The Supreme Court's decision in this case will have significant implications for the future of presidential immunity and the ability to hold presidents accountable for their actions while in office.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.