<p>Former US president Donald Trump appealed to the Supreme Court on Tuesday (Mar 19) to grant him absolute immunity in the federal election interference case, claiming that a ruling against him will "incapacitate every future president."&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said that former presidents are entitled to immunity from criminal prosecution for steps taken while in office, and argued that the "long history of not prosecuting" his predecessors shows that he cannot be criminally prosecuted.</p>

<p>"From 1789 to 2023, no former, or current, president faced criminal charges for his official acts — for good reason," Trump's lawyers said in court.</p>

<p>"The president cannot function, and the presidency itself cannot retain its vital independence, if the president faces criminal prosecution for official acts once he leaves office," they added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-repeats-fair-share-condition-for-us-help-to-nato-allies-702073">Trump repeats 'fair share' condition for US help to NATO allies</a></p>

<p>“A denial of criminal immunity would incapacitate every future President with de facto blackmail and extortion while in office, and condemn him to years of post-office trauma at the hands of his political opponents,” Trump’s legal team further said.</p>

<h2><strong>'SC's decision will affect presidency for the rest of nation's history'</strong></h2>

<p>Lawyer D John Sauer submitted a 51-page filing and appealed to the Supreme Court to reverse a decision of the lower court which rejected his claim of immunity and appealed that the charges filed against him should be dismissed.</p>

<p>Sauer said that the Supreme Court's decision on presidential immunity will have consequences which will not be confined to Trump, but rather "will affect the presidency itself for the rest of our nation's history."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;US Elections 2024: Trump warns of ‘bloodbath’ if he loses presidential election in November</strong></p>

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<p>"This court should not adopt a rule that creates the appearance of a President Trump-only gerrymander. That would be the antithesis of the rule of law," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, the Supreme Court agreed to look into the decision of the federal appeals court in Washington which said that Trump can be prosecuted for alleged attempts made for subverting presidential power&nbsp;transfer after the 2020 election and scheduled arguments for April 25.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The question which is being considered by the justices is "whether and if so to what extent does a former president enjoy presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts during his tenure in office."&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the phrasing, the justices are not looking into claims made by Trump that the presidents can be criminally charged only if the House has first impeached them and the Senate has convicted them.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Former US president Donald Trump appealed to the Supreme Court on Tuesday (Mar 19) to grant him absolute immunity in the federal election interference case, claiming that a ruling against him will "incapacitate every future president.

Former US president Donald Trump appealed to the Supreme Court on Tuesday (Mar 19) to grant him absolute immunity in the federal election interference case, claiming that a ruling against him will "incapacitate every future president." He said that former presidents are entitled to immunity from criminal prosecution for steps taken while in office, and argued that the "long history of not prosecuting" his predecessors shows that he cannot be criminally prosecuted. "From 1789 to 2023, no former, or current, president faced criminal charges for his official acts — for good reason," Trump's lawyers said in court. "The president cannot function, and the presidency itself cannot retain its vital independence, if the president faces criminal prosecution for official acts once he leaves office," they added. Also Read: Trump repeats 'fair share' condition for US help to NATO allies “A denial of criminal immunity would incapacitate every future President with de facto blackmail and extortion while in office, and condemn him to years of post-office trauma at the hands of his political opponents,” Trump’s legal team further said. 'SC's decision will affect presidency for the rest of nation's history' Lawyer D John Sauer submitted a 51-page filing and appealed to the Supreme Court to reverse a decision of the lower court which rejected his claim of immunity and appealed that the charges filed against him should be dismissed. Sauer said that the Supreme Court's decision on presidential immunity will have consequences which will not be confined to Trump, but rather "will affect the presidency itself for the rest of our nation's history." Watch: US Elections 2024: Trump warns of ‘bloodbath’ if he loses presidential election in November "This court should not adopt a rule that creates the appearance of a President Trump-only gerrymander. That would be the antithesis of the rule of law," he said. Last month, the Supreme Court agreed to look into the decision of the federal appeals court in Washington which said that Trump can be prosecuted for alleged attempts made for subverting presidential power transfer after the 2020 election and scheduled arguments for April 25. The question which is being considered by the justices is "whether and if so to what extent does a former president enjoy presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts during his tenure in office." As per the phrasing, the justices are not looking into claims made by Trump that the presidents can be criminally charged only if the House has first impeached them and the Senate has convicted them. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump urges Supreme Court for broader immunity in 2020 election case, saying past presidents not prosecuted

<p>A gag order by a US District Judge restricted former US President Donald Trump from making statements that target prosecutors, potential witnesses, and the judge's staff in relation to the 2020 election subversion case.</p>

<p>The gag order was imposed by the US District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan.</p>

<h2><strong>What does it mean?</strong></h2>

<p>The order is a pivotal development in the federal case which accuses Trump of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.</p>

<p>The gag order also underscores the complexities of prosecuting a Republican presidential front-runner who has made attacking the case central to his campaign.</p>

<h2><strong>Why gag order against Donald Trump?</strong></h2>

<p>Special counsel Jack Smith's team had expressed concerns about Trump's statements that allegedly disparaged prosecutors, the judge, and potential witnesses.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slapped-with-gag-order-after-rebuking-judges-clerk-in-social-media-post-642385">Trump slapped with gag order after rebuking Judge's clerk in social media post</a></strong></p>

<p>They argued that such comments risked diluting public confidence in the justice system and could intimidate witnesses and potential jurors.</p>

<h2><strong>What did Judge Chutkan say?</strong></h2>

<p>Chutkan clarified that Trump remains free to criticise the Justice Department generally and express his belief that the case is politically motivated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She, however, added that the former president cannot engage in a "smear campaign" against prosecutors and court personnel, as no other criminal defendant would be permitted to do so.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;US: Trump civil fraud trial continues in New York</strong></p>

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<p>"No other criminal defendant would be allowed to do so, and I’m not going to allow it in this case," she said.</p>

<p>Responding to Trump's lawyers saying that the proposed order is a violation of First Amendment Rights,&nbsp;Judge Chutkan said: "You keep talking about censorship like the defendant has unfettered First Amendment rights. He doesn't," Chutkan said, according to the TIME magazine. "We are not talking about censorship here. We are talking restrictions to ensure there is a fair administration of justice on this case."</p>

<h2><strong>Trump's response</strong></h2>

<p>At the time of filing this report, Trump himself had not reacted to the development related to the gag order imposed on him.</p>

<p>Trump’s lawyer John Lauro accused prosecutors of "seeking to censor a political candidate in the middle of a campaign." But Judge Tanya reportedly interrupted by stating that Trump "does not have a right to say and do exactly as he pleases."</p>

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A gag order by a US District Judge restricted former US President Donald Trump from making statements that target prosecutors, potential witnesses, and the judge's staff in relation to the 2020 election subversion case.

A gag order by a US District Judge restricted former US President Donald Trump from making statements that target prosecutors, potential witnesses, and the judge's staff in relation to the 2020 election subversion case. The gag order was imposed by the US District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan. What does it mean? The order is a pivotal development in the federal case which accuses Trump of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. The gag order also underscores the complexities of prosecuting a Republican presidential front-runner who has made attacking the case central to his campaign. Why gag order against Donald Trump? Special counsel Jack Smith's team had expressed concerns about Trump's statements that allegedly disparaged prosecutors, the judge, and potential witnesses. Also read | Trump slapped with gag order after rebuking Judge's clerk in social media post They argued that such comments risked diluting public confidence in the justice system and could intimidate witnesses and potential jurors. What did Judge Chutkan say? Chutkan clarified that Trump remains free to criticise the Justice Department generally and express his belief that the case is politically motivated. She, however, added that the former president cannot engage in a "smear campaign" against prosecutors and court personnel, as no other criminal defendant would be permitted to do so. Also watch | US: Trump civil fraud trial continues in New York × "No other criminal defendant would be allowed to do so, and I’m not going to allow it in this case," she said. Responding to Trump's lawyers saying that the proposed order is a violation of First Amendment Rights, Judge Chutkan said: "You keep talking about censorship like the defendant has unfettered First Amendment rights. He doesn't," Chutkan said, according to the TIME magazine. "We are not talking about censorship here. We are talking restrictions to ensure there is a fair administration of justice on this case." Trump's response At the time of filing this report, Trump himself had not reacted to the development related to the gag order imposed on him. Trump’s lawyer John Lauro accused prosecutors of "seeking to censor a political candidate in the middle of a campaign." But Judge Tanya reportedly interrupted by stating that Trump "does not have a right to say and do exactly as he pleases." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Trump slapped with gag order in 2020 election subversion case

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Trump urges Supreme Court for broader immunity in 2020 election case, saying past presidents not prosecuted

Trump slapped with gag order in 2020 election subversion case