Wary US Supreme Court could extend Donald Trump’s immunity bid past November election
- Chief Justice John Roberts criticises appeals court ruling against former US president Donald Trump
- US Supreme Court could order more review, dooming trial before the November 5 US election
The US Supreme Court suggested it might drag out Donald Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution, an outcome that could doom any chance of a pre-election trial on charges of trying to stay in power illegally.
Hearing arguments Thursday in Washington, the justices expressed scepticism toward the former US president’s sweeping arguments for immunity for his efforts to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory.
But a pivotal member, Chief Justice John Roberts, said he disagreed with part of an appeals court opinion letting the trial go forward, and he discussed returning the case to the lower courts for a closer look at the allegations against Trump.
“The Court of Appeals did not get into a focused consideration of what acts we’re talking about or what documents we’re talking about,” Roberts said.
Another key justice, Brett Kavanaugh, said he was worried about the long-term effect of leaving presidents vulnerable to prosecution for their official acts.
