Biden says SCOTUS decision sets 'dangerous precedent'

Trump called the ruling a "big win for our constitution and democracy."

Last Updated: July 1, 2024, 4:07 PM EDT

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected Donald Trump's sweeping claim of "absolute" immunity from criminal prosecution in his federal election subversion case, but said former presidents are entitled to some protections for "official" acts taken while in the White House.

The ruling affects whether Trump faces a federal trial this year on four felony counts brought by special counsel Jack Smith, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of an official proceeding, for his attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. Trump pleaded not guilty and has denied any wrongdoing.

The justices are sending the case back to the trial court to determine what acts alleged in Smith's indictment constitute official duties that could be protected from liability and which are not.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news developed.
Jul 01, 2024, 11:03 AM EDT

Special counsel Jack Smith declines to comment

Special counsel Jack Smith's office declined to comment on the Supreme Court ruling, a spokesperson told ABC News.

The court's ruling will affect whether former President Donald Trump faces a federal trial this year on four felony counts brought by Smith, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of an official proceeding, for his attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.

-ABC News' Alexander Mallin

Jul 01, 2024, 10:48 AM EDT

Trump reacts to SCOTUS ruling

Former President Donald Trump released a statement about the Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision in a post on his social media platform.

"BIG WIN FOR OUR CONSTITUTION AND DEMOCRACY. PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!" Trump wrote on Monday morning.

Jul 01, 2024, 10:44 AM EDT

Biden campaign reacts to SCOTUS ruling

A senior Biden campaign advisor released a statement about the court's ruling on immunity, stating "Today’s ruling doesn’t change the facts, so let’s be very clear about what happened on January 6: Donald Trump snapped after he lost the 2020 election and encouraged a mob to overthrow the results of a free and fair election."

The campaign argued that Trump "thinks he’s above the law and is willing to do anything to gain and hold onto power for himself."

-ABC News' Selina Wang

Jul 01, 2024, 10:36 AM EDT

Supreme Court rules president has no immunity for unofficial acts

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on the immunity case against former President Donald Trump stating, "The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official.

The ruling, in which all of the liberal justices dissented, added, "The President is not above the law. But under our system of separated powers, the President may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for his official acts."

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