#SCOTUS Chief Justice #JohnRoberts says #Trump’s pressuring of #MikePence was certainly official conduct, but leaves open the question of whether it counts as the core kind that Trump is absolutely #immune for, or a lessor kind where he has only a presumption of #immunity that can be overcome.

#law

Justice #Sotomayor dissent:

“Never in the history of our Republic has a President had reason to believe that he would be #immune from #criminal prosecution if he used the trappings of his office to violate the criminal #law. Moving forward, however, all former Presidents will be cloaked in such #immunity.
…if the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop. With fear for our #democracy, I dissent."

If #SCOTUS devises a test: Do they apply it themselves? (Doubtful) Or do they return the case to District Court Judge Tanya #Chutkan & instruct her to apply it? (More likely)

If the justices apply the test themselves & allow some of the charges against #Trump to stand, the case could proceed. But if the court asks Chutkan to apply a test & she finds Trump is not #immune from prosecution, then Trump would undoubtedly appeal which would further delay a trial.

#law