Trump attorney says presidents are immune from assassinating political rivals

US Supreme Court in Washington is hearing a matter on whether former US President and 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump can assert immunity in a federal election subversion case related to his alleged role in inciting the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

During the proceedings, Justice Sonya Sotomayor posed a question about whether a scenario where the president labels his opponent as corrupt and instructs the military to assassinate them would qualify as an official act protected by immunity.

In a shocking response, Trump's Attorney D John Sauer responded that it could potentially be considered an "official act" depending on the specifics of the hypothetical situation.

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Earlier this year, the court delivered a win for Trump by overturning a decision that sought to exclude him from Colorado's ballot. This comes as Trump is also facing trial in New York's Manhattan court regarding a hush money payment to adult star Stormy Daniels in 2016.

Because of his presence in Manhattan court, the Republican candidate will not be present at the Supreme Court as it hears the arguments by Trump's lawyers and Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Trump's legal team earlier contended that his attempts to overturn the 2020 election constitute "official acts" carried out while in office. With a conservative majority of 6-3 on the court, including three justices appointed by Trump, the decision will hold immense importance and will set a precedent in such future cases.

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Supreme Court's conservative majority comprises three justices appointed by Trump - Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh. The outcome of the Supreme Court case would not impact the ongoing hush-money trial in New York, which focuses on actions before Trump's presidency.

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In a filing to the justices earlier, Trump's lawyers argued for hisimmunity from criminal prosecutionand warned that without such protection, the threat of future prosecution could be exploited as a political tool to influence presidential decisions.

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Meanwhile, ex-tabloid executive David Pecker has testified in the hush money trial, where a key evidence is a $130,000 payment made by Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels. In the hush money trial, prosecutors must present evidence of intent as Trump faces 34 counts in this trial alone.

Trump is the first former US president to face criminal prosecution in the hush money case. Notably, Trump maintains his innocence in this case and three other criminal proceedings.

E Jean Carroll case

In New York, a judge has rejected former President Trump's appeal for a fresh trial in a defamation lawsuit brought by writer E Jean Carroll. Carroll had accused Trump of tarnishing her reputation and hindering her professional life.

This ruling upholds the jury's decision to award $83.3 million in damages, a significant legal setback for the former president who faces numerous legal challenges.

(With inputs from agencies)