Trump called the ruling a "big win for our constitution and democracy."
Last Updated: July 1, 2024, 3:34 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.
Ian Sams, a spokesman for the White House Counsel’s Office, released a statement about the ruling stating, "As President Biden has said, nobody is above the law."
"That is a core American principle and how our system of justice works. We need leaders like President Biden who respect the justice system and don’t tear it down," Sams added.
-ABC News' Selina Wang
Jul 01, 2024, 3:24 PM EDT
Election interference judge does not mention Supreme Court decision during hearing
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan did not mention or make any remarks on Monday about the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling during her first public hearing since the justices sent Trump’s Jan. 6 case back to her.
At one point during a status hearing for a Jan. 6 defendant, when Judge Chutkan was asked about a trial date, she said "my calendar is…" as she made a face and laughed.
-ABC News' Laura Romero
Jul 01, 2024, 1:32 PM EDT
RNC, DNC chairs react to immunity ruling
The heads of the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee both released statements following the Supreme Court's immunity ruling.
RNC chair Michael Whatley said "today's ruling is a victory for the rule of law and a reminder that the Constitution outweighs the left's weaponization of the judicial system against President Trump and his allies."
DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, however, argued the "ruling only underscores the stakes of this election," in light of Trump's repeated threats against his opponents.
"The only thing standing between Donald Trump and his threats to our democracy is President Biden -- and the American people will stand once again on the side of democracy this November," he said.
Jul 01, 2024, 1:27 PM EDT
Biden campaign vows to highlight Trump threat after SCOTUS decision
Shortly after the Supreme Court ruled Monday on Trump's immunity case, the Biden reelection campaign organized a group of surrogates on a press call to lambast the decision that makes the former president immune from federal prosecution for official actions he took while in office.
The group included Capitol police officer Harry Dunn, New York Rep. Dan Goldman and Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett. The group criticized the Republican-majority Supreme Court for giving the former president "untethered political power," or freedom to act as a "dictator."
"I do think that it was extremely scary," said principal deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks, who led the call. "So what happens if there's an election outcome [or] result that Trump doesn't like in a Senate race, or governor's race or House race?"
President Joe Biden speaks at a post-debate campaign rally on June 28, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images
The campaign said that Biden would be out on the campaign trail to highlight the threat that Trump poses to democracy following this decision.
"The Supreme Court just handed Donald Trump three keys to absolute immunity as president of the United States and so we're going to continue to point out to voters," Fulks said. "When Trump says these things, now he will have the ability to do them if he is the president or reelected president of the United States, and we have to do everything in our power to stop."
Fulks diverted attention from a question about Biden's debate performance, saying the Supreme Court's decision was a "reality check" in the face of debate night.
"Now until November, we're going to continue taking this case directly to voters who are going to decide this election," he said.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden wave as they leave the stage after a campaign event in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 28, 2024.