Trump immunity case: Supreme Court rules ex-presidents have substantial protection from prosecution --The issue before the Supreme Court stemmed from Special Counsel Jack Smith's election interference case against former President Trump | 1 July 2024 | The Supreme Court ruled Monday in Trump v. United States that a former president has substantial immunity from prosecution for official acts committed while in office, but not for unofficial acts. The Court sent the matter back down to a lower court, as the justices did not apply the ruling to whether or not former President Trump is immune from prosecution regarding actions related to efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The question stemmed from Special Counsel Jack Smith's federal election interference case in which he charged former President Trump with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.