Biden says SCOTUS decision sets 'dangerous precedent'

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

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.


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SEAL Team 6 hypothetical assassination referenced in dissent

In their dissents, both justices Sotomayor and Jackson addressed the question of whether a president would have immunity from criminal prosecution for acts of murder -- including ordering the assassination of a political rival.

In their dissents, both Sotomayor and Jackson addressed the question of whether a president would have immunity from criminal prosecution for acts of murder -- including ordering the assassination of a political rival.

When the president "uses his official powers in any way, under the majority's reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution," Sotomayor said in her dissent. "Orders the Navy's Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune."

ABC News Supreme Court contributor Kate Shaw said on ABC News Live Monday that she agreed with the dissenting opinion that ordering the hypothetical assassination could be considered immune from criminal prosecution.

"In terms of the application of this immunity to very extreme scenarios like ordering an assassination, I'm not sure the majority successfully explains why this rule would not shield that kind of conduct if it's engaged in an official capacity, even if it's wildly wrong and dangerous and destructive," she said. "If that conduct is done in official capacity, I think the dissent is right on this opinion's own logic. It would be immune, and that is a genuinely chilling implication of this case."

The SEAL Team 6 assassination hypothetical was raised during oral arguments on the case in April.

Sotomayor raised it first while questioning Trump attorney John Sauer. She pointed back to an earlier exchange Sauer had in a lower court proceeding.

"I'm going to give you a chance to say ... if you stay by it: If the president decides that his rival is a corrupt person and he orders the military, or orders someone, to assassinate him -- is that within his official acts for which he can get immunity?" she asked during oral arguments.

"It would depend on the hypothetical," Sauer answered. "We could see that could well be an official act."

-ABC News' Meredith Deliso and Alexandra Hutzler


White House spokesman reacts to SCOTUS ruling

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


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


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.