It is perhaps the blockbuster case of the latest U.S. Supreme Court term. The immunity case for former President Donald Trump that Justice Neil Gorsuch predicted would be “a decision for the ages.” The question for the justices was under what circumstances — if any — a former president has immunity from criminal prosecution.
In a 6-3 ruling, the justices said that former presidents are shielded from prosecution for official acts but do not have immunity for unofficial acts.
The justices certainly took their time deciding the case, despite what many critics said was an urgent need to bring Trump to trial before the November election. The ruling makes it nearly impossible for a trial to be held before voters decide whether to send Trump back to the White House.
In another case, the Supreme Court curbed charges against the Jan. 6 rioters in a ruling that made it more difficult to prosecute them and in the process may have weakened the Justice Department’s case against Trump, though Special Counsel Jack Smith disagrees.
Then there’s the shocking news concerning court actions on the hotly debated abortion issue this election cycle. First, the “accidentally” leaked opinion that the court was ready to overturn Idaho’s near-total ban. How did that happen? It’s an amazing breach of protocol. Not to mention you have three conservative justices siding with three liberal justices.
And there’s this court shocker: Justice Samuel Alito’s “remarkable shift.” Legal analysts were stunned when Alito sided with the eight others on the high court’s bench in a unanimous decision in a case regarding the widely used abortion medication mifepristone. Is he feeling pressure because of questions concerning “ethical issues?”
Another surprise: The court’s ruling on gun rights. It backtracked somewhat on its expansionist treatment. Boy, what a difference two years makes. It has to be noted that people on both sides were slighted and Clarence Thomas stood alone in his dissent.
You also have to wonder if that ruling opens the door to a Hunter Biden appeal. There are some legal analysts who believe there’s language in it that opens a clear path.
Constitutional law expert Rod Sullivan joined us on “Vote 2024: Path to the Polls” as we discussed the Supreme Court’s recent actions. ICYMI, you can watch our encore stream at 7 p.m. Tuesday or watch anytime On Demand on News4JAX+, News4JAX.com or our YouTube channel.