US Supreme Court Rules on Trump’s Immunity
The US Supreme Court has decided that former President Donald Trump can claim limited immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during his presidency. This decision is expected to delay a trial on federal charges of election subversion against him.
This case is considered one of the most significant of the year. It overturns a previous ruling that denied Trump immunity for alleged crimes related to overturning the 2020 election results. Special counsel Jack Smith had argued against allowing Trump to delay legal proceedings.
Trump, who is facing multiple legal battles while also preparing to run against President Joe Biden, was convicted of a felony in a hush money trial in May.
Public Trust in the Supreme Court
Recent polls show a significant lack of public confidence in the Supreme Court. An AP-NORC poll revealed that only 16% of people have a great deal of trust in the Court, while 44% have some confidence, and 40% have hardly any confidence at all. Democrats, in particular, show high levels of distrust, with 58% expressing hardly any confidence.
About two-thirds of US adults are skeptical of the Court’s handling of presidential powers and immunity, as well as elections and voting matters. Similar doubts exist on issues like abortion and gun policies. A large majority, 70%, believe that Supreme Court justices shape laws based on their ideological leanings, while only 28% think they provide an impartial check on other branches of government.
Another survey by Marquette Law School in May showed that public approval of the Supreme Court is low, with only 39% approving and 61% disapproving of its performance. This dissatisfaction has been ongoing since the Court’s controversial 2022 Dobbs decision.
Opinions on Presidential Immunity
Public opinion is divided on the issue of presidential immunity from criminal prosecution. When asked specifically about Trump, 60% opposed granting him immunity for official acts, while 30% supported it. On the broader question of whether former presidents should have immunity, 71% believed they should not, with only 16% in favor. Among Republicans, a majority (61%) supported immunity for Trump.
