Supreme Court - Trump apparently wants to overturn conviction in New York
Previously US President Donald Trump is reportedly making efforts, following the latest decision of the highest court regarding the immunity issue, to vacate his conviction in New York. Just a few hours after the Supreme Court's ruling, Trump's attorneys reportedly took initial steps and filed a letter with the relevant judge in New York, according to CNN and the "New York Times" citing unnamed sources.
Trump's team reportedly asked the judge to postpone the scheduled sentencing on July 11. Trump's team refers to the Supreme Court's latest decision, which states that US Presidents enjoy considerable protection from prosecution for official actions in office - a "dangerous precedent," as US President Joe Biden warned after the judge's ruling.
Trump's lawyers' move was expected and likely to be futile, but it could at least delay the sentencing of the penalty.
Trump to use Supreme Court ruling
Trump had a significant success at the Supreme Court on Monday: The Supreme Court ruled that he does not have complete immunity for actions during his presidency but enjoys extensive protection from prosecution.
With their decision, the justices delayed the start of the embezzlement trial against the 78-year-old in Washington, D.C. Now, a lower court must determine for which actions Trump's immunity applies. It is considered very unlikely that the process in Washington will begin before the presidential election in November.
In another criminal case in New York, Trump was convicted a few weeks ago. In the case involving the concealment of hush money payments to a porn star, Trump was found guilty by the jury in all 34 counts. It was the first time in the history of the United States that a former president was convicted of a crime. Trump could potentially face a multi-year prison sentence.
Legal disputes could last long
The New York case is different from, for example, the electoral fraud proceedings against Biden in Washington, where it's about Trump's attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election. At that time, Trump had lost to Biden but refused to accept his loss. This case concerns Trump's actions during his presidency in office.
The proceedings in New York primarily revolve around Trump's actions as a presidential candidate before the 2016 election. Trump had already failed in his argument in the past that the case concerned his presidency.
However, Trump's attorneys could argue that the indictment in this case relied on evidence from Trump's time in the White House. Since the Supreme Court has now ruled that official actions of US presidents are not only protected from prosecution but also cannot be used as evidence in criminal proceedings, the issue may arise in an appeal. Trump had already announced that he would appeal the judgment.
Biden on Immunity Ruling: "Dangerous Precedent"
US-President Biden criticized the Supreme Court's immunity ruling and warned of serious consequences. "Today's decision means with near certainty that there will be practically no limits for the actions of a President," said the Democrat during a hastily arranged speech at the White House. Every President, including Trump, will now have the freedom to ignore the law, warned the 81-year-old. He intends to run against Trump in the presidential election in November.
The Supreme Court has created a "fundamentally new principle" with its decision: The power of the Presidency will no longer be limited by laws or even the Supreme Court, Biden warned. "The only limits will be set by the President himself." The people in the US have a right to receive a court response regarding Trump's role in the Capitol storm on January 6, 2021 before the upcoming presidential elections in November. This response will likely no longer be possible after the ruling.
Biden, who is in a critical phase of his campaign after a disastrous TV debate performance in the past week, used the opportunity to call for voting. Do not ask me about my candidacy.
Liberal justices express fundamental concerns
The Supreme Court's decision was made with a six-to-three majority. The three justices perceived as liberal did not align with the Supreme Court's conservative majority, which Trump solidified through personnel decisions during his presidency. In the dissenting opinion written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the justices expressed their "fear for our democracy."
Sotomayor outlined potential scenarios in which the President's immunity from prosecution could apply in the future - for example, a murder plot ordered by him against a rival, a military coup by a defeated President, or evidence of bribery.
"Even if these nightmare scenarios never come to pass, and I pray they never do, the damage has already been done," Sotomayor wrote. "In every exercise of his power, the President is now a king, above the law." The long-term consequences of the decision are significant. The Court is thus effectively creating a lawless zone around the President and shaking the established status quo, which has existed since the founding of the nation.
- Following the Supreme Court's ruling, Trump's attorneys filed a letter in New York, aiming to delay his sentencing in the hush money case.
- Trump's legal team cited the Supreme Court's decision, which grants US Presidents considerable protection from prosecution for official actions.
- Joe Biden criticized the Supreme Court's immunity ruling, warning of potential unchecked power for future Presidents.
- The New York Times reported that Biden viewed the decision as a "dangerous precedent" that could lead to Presidents disregarding the law.
- CNN reported that Trump had a significant success at the Supreme Court, with the justices delaying his embezzlement trial due to his immunity.
- The Supreme Court's ruling could potentially impact the upcoming Presidential election in 2024, limiting the public's access to information about Trump's role in the Capitol storm.
- The New York Times also covered the convictions of Trump in a separate case involving hush money payments to a porn star, marking a historical first for a US President.
- Donald Trump announced his intentions to appeal the judgment, which could lead to further legal disputes stretching beyond the 2024 Presidential election.
- Liberal justices expressed their concerns about the decision's impact on democratic principles and the Constitution, warning of a lawless zone around the President.
