Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case against former U.S. President Donald Trump for election interference has been significantly weakened, with only 60% of the allegations remaining after the Supreme Court’s recent decision. The court ruled that most official acts of a president are immune from criminal prosecution, leaving only three out of five alleged schemes to potentially move forward through further litigation.
However, the case is likely to face numerous legal battles and appeals before it even reaches trial, which may not happen until 2025. The outcome of the case also hinges on whether or not Trump is reelected, as a new attorney general appointed by him could easily dismiss the case as a witch hunt.
The Supreme Court’s opinion distinguished between official acts and unofficial acts of a president, with only the latter being subject to prosecution. This means that actions taken within the scope of a president’s duties, like ordering a drone strike, are immune from legal consequences, while personal acts, such as shooting someone on Fifth Avenue, are not.