2/ (3) This is a win for Trump relative to expectations, and with respect to timing, but unless the prosecution is dismissed (a big if, see November) then he will likely stand trial.
(4) In terms of what’s actually immunized, nobody is surprised about the DOJ intimidation. The biggest surprises are the idea that the convos with the Veep might be “core” functions and that some of the other allegations might be “official acts.”
3/ (5) I don’t really understand some logic in Part III-C of the opinion, for wonky reasons. But if official acts can’t be used to prove anything, I don’t understand how bribe-for-pardon scheme could be proven by pting to “public record” of the pardon.
(6) As expected from Fischer opinion, the Court leaves it to Judge Chutkan to decide whether the prosecution can go forward on the two counts under 18 USC 1512(c) - highlighting the language that she would need to use to adjudicate the ques
@GottaLaff
I haven't studied this decision yet, but it seems inconceivable that inciting a mob to storm the halls of Congress and hang the VP could possibly fall within the scope of "official acts" for which a President would plausibly be immune from prosecution.
It's not substantially different from ordering Seal Team Six to assassinate a political opponent.
If he IS immune from prosecution for either act, SCOTUS has completely jumped the shark.