The Supreme Court’s ‘dangerous’ decision shields Trump from criminal prosecution. Where do his cases stand now?

The Supreme Court’s monumental decision on whether Donald Trump is shielded from criminal prosecution for his actions in office will likely derail his election interference trial.

On Monday, the court’s conservative majority ruled in a 6-3 decision that Trump is immune from prosecution for “official” acts performed as president, as outlined in the indictment against him.

It will now be up to the lower federal court judge overseeing the case to hold hearings on whether the allegations – including Trump’s alleged conspiracy to overturn Joe Biden’s victory and a pressure campaign aimed at his vice president and state officials – constitute “official” or “unofficial” acts.

The Supreme Court flatly stated that “there is no immunity for unofficial acts” under the presidency.

But the “outer perimeter” of the president’s duties must be granted some immunity, the majority wrote. Trump’s communications with his Department of Justice and other White House officials to allegedly plot his attempt to stay in power are off limits to prosecutors, and can’t even be used as evidence, under the ruling.

The case will be sent back to the district court in Washington DC, where Judge Tanya Chutkan will be tasked with determining whether the actions listed in Trump’s indictment are “official.”

That likely protracted legal battle will continue to delay a trial and diminish prospects that it will begin before Election Day, or even after the presidential inauguration in January 2025.

The ruling – and the court’s decision to wait until the final day of its session to release it – ensures that voters will cast ballots later this year without finding out if Trump unlawfully conspired to overturn the last election.

Trump’s contacts with people outside