Special counsel Jack Smith asks the Supreme Court to decide whether former President Donald Trump has immunity.
(SOUNDBITE OF MONTAGE)
DONALD TRUMP: This is a persecution.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #1: Felony violations of our national security laws.
TRUMP: We need one more indictment…
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #2: Criminal conspiracy.
TRUMP: …To close out this election.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #3: He actually just stormed out of the courtroom.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON #4: Innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
It’s time for Trump’s Trials, our weekly take on the multiple cases former President Donald Trump is facing. Today, we’re focusing on the January 6 federal election interference case, one of the two cases brought by special counsel Jack Smith. This week, Smith filed a request to the U.S. Supreme Court, asking them to answer this key question – can presidents be criminally prosecuted for crimes they’re alleged to have committed while in office?
This question is essential because if the Supreme Court decides Trump does have criminal immunity, then that really undercuts Smith’s entire case. Once again, we are here with NPR senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. Thanks for being here.
DOMENICO MONTANARO, BYLINE: Hey, Scott. Great to be here as always.
DETROW: And we’re also joined by Harry Litman, a former U.S. attorney and deputy assistant attorney general. These days, he’s a law professor. Welcome, Harry.
HARRY LITMAN: Thanks. Good to be here.
DETROW: So, Domenico, let’s start with you. Can you briefly explain what exactly presidential immunity is, why the president has it, what we’re talking about here?
MONTANARO: How long do we have? I mean, it’s like…
(LAUGHTER)
MONTANARO: OK, well, I’ll keep it short then. The fact is it’s not really 100% clear that it even exists, right? I mean, like, the Supreme Court has had sort of differing opinions on this. There’s some interpretation within…
Read the full article here