Supreme Court ruling - Trump sentence in New York not planned until September
In the New York legal proceedings regarding payment settlements from Ex-President Donald Trump, the announcement of the sentence has been delayed until September 18th. This new date was mentioned in a letter to the parties involved by Judge Juan Merchan. "If this is still necessary," he added. This allows Trump's attorneys the necessary time to file a request to overturn the judgment.
The delay is due to a Supreme Court ruling in the United States regarding the immunity of US Presidents. In this judgment, it is stated that US Presidents enjoy extensive protection from prosecution for official actions while in office. Trump's lawyers' move was expected, but he is not given the best chances, as the New York case largely concerns actions that took place before his presidency.
A jury in New York had found Trump guilty of 34 charges a few weeks ago in this process, which involved the illegal concealment of payment to a porn star. This was the first time in US history that a former president was indicted for a criminal offense. Trump could potentially face a multi-year prison sentence.
Biden sees "dangerous precedent"
Trump's success at the highest US Court is groundbreaking: The Supreme Court ruled that he does not have complete immunity for actions during his presidency but enjoys significant protection from prosecution. US President Joe Biden spoke about the Supreme Court's decision as a "dangerous precedent."
With their decision, the judges further delay the start of the election fraud proceedings against the 78-year-old in Washington, D.C. A lower court now needs to determine for which actions Trump's immunity applies. It is considered highly unlikely that the process in Washington will begin before the presidential election in November.
Legal disputes are likely to continue for a long time
The New York case is different from, for example, the election fraud proceedings in Washington. The process in Manhattan primarily concerned Trump's actions as a presidential candidate before the 2016 election. Trump had already failed in the past with the argument that the case concerned his presidency.
However, Trump's attorneys could argue that the indictment in this case also relied on evidence from Trump's time in the White House. Since the Supreme Court decided that official actions of US presidents are not only protected from prosecution but also cannot be used as evidence in criminal proceedings, this issue could become relevant in an appeal. Trump had already announced that he would appeal the judgment.
Biden: "The only limits are set by the President himself"
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 called press conference 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 stated. "The only limits will be set by the President himself." The people in the US have a right to receive a response from the courts regarding Trump's role in the Capitol storm on January 6, 2021 before the upcoming Presidential elections in November. However, this response will likely no longer be forthcoming after the ruling.
Biden, who is in a critical phase of his campaign following a disastrous TV debate performance in the previous week, used the opportunity to call on people to vote. He did not answer questions about his candidacy.
Liberal justices express "fear for our democracy"
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 had cemented 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 - as an example, she mentioned an assassination plot ordered by him against a rival, a military coup by an ousted President, or evidence of bribery.
"Even if these nightmare scenarios never materialize, 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 effectively creating a lawless zone around the President and challenging the status quo that has existed since the founding of the nation.
- Despite the delay in the sentence announcement due to the US President's legal proceedings in New York, the potential impact of the case on the US Presidency is a topic of intense discussion in Washington.
- The Supreme Court's ruling on the US President's immunity from prosecution during presidency has spatial implications, as it could potentially shield a former US President from standalone trials in places like New York.
- The forthcoming presidential election in the USA, #USElection2024, could be influenced by the penalty faced by the former US President for the hush money payment to the porn actress, a matter currently under New York's judicial processes.
- The US President's current attorney general could play a significant role in the appeal process, as they would advocate for Trump to avoid the multi-year prison sentence potentially handed down by the New York Supreme Court.
- Biden's relationship with the New York Supreme Court and its ruling on US Presidential immunity could impact his future dealings with the court, especially if he decides to contest any accusations or legal cases during his Presidency.
- The opponents of the incumbent US President could seize the opportunity to evoke the potential misconduct unveiled in the New York case, arguing for stringent measures during the elections to ensure justice in the country.
- In light of the US President's ongoing legal disputes, including hush money payments to adult film stars, Joe Biden's campaign advisors may consider addressing the issue strategically in their upcoming election campaigns to distinguish themselves from their opponents.
- Juan Merchan, the judge responsible for presiding over the New York case, may face scrutiny in Washington for his decision, particularly due to the far-reaching implications that the US Supreme Court's ruling could have on future Presidents and their immunity from judicial punishments.
- The conservative-leaning Supreme Court has established a precedent on presidential immunity, stirring controversy within the wider Washington DC circle, as many politicians and constitutional experts question the long-term effects on government accountability and democracy in the USA.
- In response to the Supreme Court's ruling, criticisms over potential 'executive privilege' abuse have arisen, with some Americans advocating for reinforcing the constitutional balance to prevent a prospective President from abusing power and escaping punishment for wrongdoings.
