SCOTUS agrees to review Trump’s presidential immunity claim

The Supreme Court has agreed to review former President Donald Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution for actions taken during his presidency—causing further delays in his federal trial in Washington, D.C., where he faces charges of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election.

Trump, who denies all charges, welcomed the court’s decision, expressing concerns about wrongful prosecution of presidents.

SCOTUS justices are poised to hear arguments in the week of April 22. They would consider a previous ruling that rebuked Trump’s immunity claim, stating a president can’t commit crimes to undermine election results.

As a result, Trump’s trial proceedings in D.C. will remain suspended till the Supreme Court’s ruling, which could be anytime between June and July. This will push Trump’s D.C. trial into the presidential election season in November.

The development adds complexity to the GOP frontrunner’s legal battles in states including Florida, Georgia and New York.

In another legal battle, an Illinois judge ousted Trump from the state’s ballot, citing the 14th Amendment’s “insurrectionist ban.” It is the third state barring him from the ballot after Colorado and Maine.