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Trump is arguing for immunity in his criminal case. Will the Supreme Court agree?

The US Supreme Court on April 23, 2024, in Washington, DC. The Court will hear arguments on April 25, 2024, on whether Donald Trump, as a former president, should be immune from criminal prosecution for acts he committed while in office. The nine justices’ ruling could have far-reaching implications for the extent of US executive power -- and Trump’s own multiple legal issues as he seeks the White House again. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Trump is arguing for immunity in his criminal case. Will the Supreme Court agree?

The US Supreme Court on April 23, 2024, in Washington, DC. The Court will hear arguments on April 25, 2024, on whether Donald Trump, as a former president, should be immune from criminal prosecution for acts he committed while in office. The nine justices’ ruling could have far-reaching implications for the extent of US executive power -- and Trump’s own multiple legal issues as he seeks the White House again. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

Trump is arguing for immunity in his criminal case. Will the Supreme Court agree?

One of Richard Nixon's most famous quotes...right up there with "I am not a crook"... had to do with presidential immunity. "When the president does it" he said "that means that it is not illegal." That idea – that you can't prosecute someone for actions taken as president - the Supreme Court has never actually ruled on it. On Thursday, the Justices will take a crack, with the federal election interference case against former president Donald Trump hanging in the balance. We preview how things might go. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The US Supreme Court on April 23, 2024, in Washington, DC. The Court will hear arguments on April 25, 2024, on whether Donald Trump, as a former president, should be immune from criminal prosecution for acts he committed while in office. The nine justices’ ruling could have far-reaching implications for the extent of US executive power -- and Trump’s own multiple legal issues as he seeks the White House again. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

 

One of Richard Nixon's most famous quotes...right up there with "I am not a crook"... had to do with presidential immunity.

"When the president does it" he said "that means that it is not illegal." That idea – that you can't prosecute someone for actions taken as president - the Supreme Court has never actually ruled on it.

On Thursday, the Justices will take a crack, with the federal election interference case against former president Donald Trump hanging in the balance.

We preview how things might go.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

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