Exclusive: In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, former President Trump hailed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity as a “huge victory for our Constitution and our democracy.”
The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the former president had a major right to vote in the case Trump v. United States. Immunity from prosecution While official acts performed while in office provide immunity from criminal prosecution, non-official acts do not. The Supreme Court found that Trump is immune from criminal prosecution for “official acts,” but left it to lower courts to decide where the line is between official and non-official acts.
“Thus, the President cannot be prosecuted for the exercise of core Constitutional powers and, at a minimum, enjoys a presumptive right to immunity from prosecution for all official acts,” the majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, stated. “This immunity applies equally to all staff members of the Oval Office, regardless of politics, policy, or party affiliation.”
Former President Trump speaks at a Buckeye Values PAC rally in Vandalia, Ohio, on March 16, 2024. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)
While the ruling doesn’t seem like a complete victory for Trump, the former president praised it.
“I’ve been harassed for years by the Democrats, Joe Biden, Obama and their thugs, fascists and communists,” Trump told Fox News Digital, “and now the court has ruled.”
Trump immunity case: Supreme Court rules former presidents have broad protection from prosecution
He added, “This is a huge victory for our Constitution and our democracy. Now I can campaign freely like anyone else. We are leading by a large margin in every poll, and we will Make America Great Again.”
The Supreme Court ruled on the issue of presidential immunity after Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, appealed to the Supreme Court against his indictment in federal election interference cases brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Smith charged Trump with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction and attempted obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy against the rights of others.
Supreme Court considers major constitutional challenge over President Trump’s immunity claim
The charges stem from Smith’s months-long investigation into whether President Trump was involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol and whether he attempted to interfere with the results of the 2020 election.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and argued that he should be immune from prosecution for offenses committed while in office.
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Smith’s lawsuit against the former president remains in limbo while the Supreme Court hears it.
Shortly after the interview with Fox News Digital, Trump posted to his Truth social account, “A huge victory for our Constitution and Democracy. Proud to be an American!”
