The US Supreme Court is currently considering whether former President Donald Trump has immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office, related to allegations of federal election interference. This significant legal case debates Trump’s claim that actions he took concerning the 2020 election results fall under his official presidential duties and therefore should be immune from prosecution.

Trump’s legal representatives cite the 1982 Supreme Court ruling in Nixon v Fitzgerald, which affirmed presidential immunity from civil damages. However, special counsel Jack Smith references the 1974 United States v Nixon decision, which played a crucial part in President Richard Nixon’s resignation, to argue that no president is completely immune from judicial scrutiny or legal accountability.

The outcome of this Supreme Court case, expected potentially by June 2024, is poised to set a precedent regarding presidential powers and accountability. The ruling could also influence other ongoing legal issues involving Trump, including matters related to classified documents found at his Florida residence.

Legal professionals and scholars have expressed concerns that an expansive ruling in favor of Trump could undermine the principle that no individual is above the law. Meanwhile, any decision to uphold his immunity could disrupt numerous pending cases against him, influencing his political prospects as the 2024 presidential election approaches.