Trump v. United States

law case

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July 22, 2026

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The case of Trump v. United States (2024) involved criminal charges against former President Donald Trump related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The indictment included charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy to deny voting rights. Trump argued for absolute immunity from prosecution for official acts taken while in office.1

The Supreme Court ruled that former presidents are entitled to absolute immunity for acts involving their core constitutional powers and presumptive immunity for other official acts. However, the Court did not provide a specific definition of "official acts" and remanded the case to the district court to determine which of Trump's alleged actions qualified as official. The Court's decision left open the possibility of prosecution for unofficial acts.12

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Major Supreme Court Cases from the 2023–24 Term
Trump v. United States
” Argued on April 25, 2024. In August 2023 Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., on criminal charges stemming from special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The four criminal…
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” Argued on April 25, 2024. In August 2023 Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., on criminal charges stemming from special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The four criminal…
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John G. Roberts, Jr.
Majority opinions written or joined by Roberts
…of Robert’s majority opinions are Trump v. United States (2024), which rendered U.S. presidents absolutely or presumptively immune from criminal prosecution for official acts; United States v. Skrmetti (2025), which upheld state laws banning gender-affirming medical care; and Learning Resources
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…of Robert’s majority opinions are Trump v. United States (2024), which rendered U.S. presidents absolutely or presumptively immune from criminal prosecution for official acts; United States v. Skrmetti (2025), which upheld state laws banning gender-affirming medical care; and Learning Resources
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Donald Trump
Later indictments, civil suits, and trials
The Court’s decision in Trump v. United States, issued in July, held that former presidents are entitled to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions that involve the exercise of their “core constitutional powers” and to “presumptive immunity” for all other official acts. The Court did not provide a…
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The Court’s decision in Trump v. United States, issued in July, held that former presidents are entitled to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions that involve the exercise of their “core constitutional powers” and to “presumptive immunity” for all other official acts. The Court did not provide a…
Read More