The justices focused on the general nature of Trump's claim at the Jan. 9 hearing, questioning Trump's lawyers about whether even a president who ordered military commandos to assassinate a political rival could escape criminal prosecution without initial action by Congress.
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Granting Trump immunity in this case would give presidents “unlimited power to commit crimes that would neutralize the most basic checks on executive power — recognizing and enforcing election results,” the committee wrote in its ruling.
Trump has repeatedly expressed his claim for immunity on the campaign trail and social media, saying in a Jan. 18 post, “All presidents must have full and complete presidential immunity, or the power and decisiveness of the President of the United States will be lost.” Stripped and gone forever.”
The indictment filed by Special Counsel Jack Smith accuses Trump of using false claims of voter fraud to pressure state representatives, Justice Department officials and then-Vice President Mike Pence to thwart the certification of the election results. It is one of four criminal cases involving Trump and one of two alleging interference in the 2020 election.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to four criminal charges and accused prosecutors of politically motivated efforts to harm his campaign.
US District Judge Tanya Chutkan previously rejected the immunity argument in December, prompting Trump to appeal.
If Trump wins the election, he may seek to pardon himself or direct the Justice Department to close the case.
Trump could ask the full D.C. Circuit Court and the U.S. Supreme Court to review the ruling, which could result in weeks or months of additional delay.
Meanwhile, the bipartisan Senate agreement on border enforcement measures and aid to Ukraine collapsed with Republicans withdrawing their support despite President Joe Biden urging Congress to stand up to Trump.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell admitted that the agreement was dead.
“It seems to me and to most of our members that we have no real opportunity here to pass a law,” the Kentucky Republican told reporters.
It was the rapid turn of events that showed McConnell's declining control over his Republican conference, Trump's growing influence, and Biden's ability to view him as a cornerstone of his foreign policy — halting Russian President Vladimir Putin's advance into Europe — that collapsed in Congress.
Biden placed the blame for the bill's demise squarely on Trump.
“I was told that he did nothing in the last 24 hours, but he reached out to Republicans in the House and Senate and threatened them and tried to intimidate them into voting against this proposal,” Biden said. “They seem to have caved. Frankly, they owe it to the American people to show some courage and do what they know is right.”
