Former President Donald Trump has been granted limited immunity by the US Supreme Court, a decision expected to postpone a federal trial on charges of election subversion, CNN reported. This ruling overturns a previous federal appeals court decision and marks a significant development in Donald Trump’s legal battles as he navigates multiple challenges while eyeing a potential return to the White House.
According to CNN, the Supreme Court’s decision allows Trump to claim immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during his final days in office. Special counsel Jack Smith strongly opposed Trump’s legal strategy, arguing against delaying legal proceedings.
Trump faced another setback earlier this year when he became the first former US president convicted of a felony in a hush money trial, as reported by CNN. His ongoing legal battles coincide with the Supreme Court’s deliberations on other critical issues such as First Amendment rights and social media regulations.
Recent polling reflects widespread skepticism towards the Supreme Court’s handling of Trump’s immunity claims. An AP-NORC poll highlighted significant public distrust in the institution, with only 16 percent expressing a great deal of trust. Democrats, in particular, displayed notable distrust, with 58 percent stating they had hardly any confidence in the Supreme Court.
Regarding specific issues, approximately two-thirds of US adults expressed skepticism in the Court’s approach to presidential powers and immunity (66 percent), as well as elections and voting matters (63 percent). The survey also revealed that 70 percent of respondents believed Supreme Court justices tend to shape laws based on their ideological leanings.
In another survey by Marquette Law School, public approval of the Supreme Court stood at a low 39 percent, with 61 percent disapproving of its performance. This dissatisfaction has persisted since the Court’s controversial 2022 Dobbs decision.
Public opinion remains divided on presidential immunity from criminal prosecution, with 60 percent of respondents opposing immunity for Trump’s official acts, compared to 30 percent in support.
The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to fuel ongoing debates over presidential powers, legal immunity, and public trust in the judiciary, shaping the discourse leading up to the next election cycle.