Trump Secures Major Legal Win in 2020 Election Case
Court Decision Protects Presidential Duties While Allowing Prosecution for Unofficial Actions

In a pivotal 6-3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that former presidents are entitled to a degree of immunity from criminal prosecution for their official duties. This decision, a significant victory for Donald Trump, undermines the criminal case alleging his involvement in subverting the 2020 election and postpones potential proceedings until after November’s election.

The court’s conservative bloc, shaped significantly by Trump’s appointments, determined that actions falling within the “outer perimeter” of presidential duties are immune from legal challenge, while unofficial acts remain prosecutable. The case has been remanded to District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who must scrutinize the allegations against Trump line by line.

Trump faces accusations of orchestrating an extensive campaign to overturn the 2020 election. Allegations include spreading baseless claims of voter fraud, attempting to install fake electors, pressuring Justice Department officials to pursue false investigations, and urging Vice President Mike Pence to obstruct Congress’s certification of Joe Biden’s victory.

Judge Chutkan will apply a three-part test to classify Trump’s actions as either core presidential functions with absolute immunity, official acts with presumptive immunity, or unofficial conduct without protection. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, preemptively ruled that Trump’s interactions with the Justice Department and Vice President Pence likely qualify as official duties, placing the burden on prosecutors to prove otherwise.

Roberts also addressed Trump’s January 6 speech, suggesting it might qualify as official conduct while leaving open the possibility of categorizing it as campaign activity. The decision poses a significant challenge to prosecutors, as it prohibits using official acts as evidence to establish intent, even when they are not part of formal charges.