Donald Trump greets Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer after addressing a joint session of Congress on Feb. 28, 2017. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) |
BY ROXANNE SZAL | In a 6-3 decision issued Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump has “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution for all “official acts” he took while in office. The case, which began last year, is related to charges against the former president for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol.
All three liberal judges dissented, but Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissent was particularly striking. She read the opinion from the bench, a rare move reserved for justices who strongly disagree with a particular ruling and want to emphasize their counter opinion.
Read on for her some of the best takes from her dissent, lightly edited for clarity and emphasis added:
Today’s decision to grant former Presidents criminal immunity reshapes the institution of the Presidency. It makes a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution and system of Government, that no man is above the law.
Relying on little more than its own misguided wisdom about the need for “bold and unhesitating action” by the President … The Court gives former President Trump all the immunity he asked for and more. Because our Constitution does not shield a former President from answering for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent.
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