Supreme Court built broad criminal immunity around official acts

Date: 2024-07-01
Entry type: court-ruling
Current status: Immunity rule remains binding; the underlying federal case was dismissed without prejudice.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-03

The Court created absolute immunity for a former president's core constitutional acts and presumptive immunity for other official acts, while leaving unofficial acts unprotected.

Entities and roles

Donald J. Trumppetitioner asserting criminal immunity
Trump v. United States presidential-immunity casepresidential-immunity case

Claims and evidence

factdismissed
On November 25, 2024, the district court granted the government's motion to dismiss the federal election-obstruction prosecution against Trump without prejudice.
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia: Order granting dismissal without prejudice, United States v. Trump, No. 23-cr-257Order at 1-2, November 25, 2024
factdocumented
The Supreme Court held that a former president has absolute criminal immunity for actions within conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority, at least presumptive immunity for other official acts, and no immunity for unofficial acts, requiring an act-specific remand.
- Supreme Court of the United States: Trump v. United States, 603 U.S. 593 (2024)Syllabus at 1-8; opinion at 13-32