Today, a federal appeals court made a significant ruling ahead of the Supreme Court arguments regarding former President Donald Trump's immunity from prosecution for alleged crimes committed during his presidency in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. The court's decision on February 6 dealt a blow to Trump's defense in a federal election subversion case brought by special counsel Jack Smith.
Trump had contended that the actions he was accused of were within his official duties as president, thus granting him immunity from criminal charges. However, the court rejected this argument, stating that Trump, now a private citizen, is subject to prosecution like any other individual. The court emphasized that any executive immunity that may have shielded him during his presidency does not apply in this case.
The ruling was unanimous and issued by a three-judge panel. The panel comprised two judges appointed by President Joe Biden, J. Michelle Childs and Florence Pan, and one judge appointed by former President George H.W. Bush, Karen LeCraft Henderson.
