Supreme Court Rules Trump Has Immunity For Official Acts

The US Supreme Court ruled Monday that former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for official acts but that personal acts are subject to prosecution.

The court voted 6-3 along ideological lines in the landmark case on Trump's claim he should enjoy absolute immunity. The decision will be key in whether his trial for conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss can go ahead before this year's election, in which he is the Republican candidate.

"We are writing a rule for the ages," said conservative justice Neil Gorsuch, who was appointed by Trump, as arguments were heard in April.

"This case has huge implications for the presidency, for the future of the presidency, for the future of the country," added justice Brett Kavanaugh, another Trump appointee.

Trump's original trial date in the election case had been for March 4, well before his November rematch with President Joe Biden.

But the Supreme Court -- dominated by conservatives, including the three appointed by Trump during his term in office -- agreed in February to hear his argument for presidential immunity, putting the case on hold while they considered the matter in April.

That means the trial has already been considerably delayed.