Lofgren Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Presidential Immunity Decision

SAN JOSE, CA - The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in Trump v. United States on Monday, July 1, 2024 providing broad presidential immunity, and U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) issued the following statement reacting to the ruling:

"Since Monday's Supreme Court ruling on Presidential immunity, legal scholars have examined the potential risk the decision posed to the rule of law. The Court declared that a President is immune from prosecution when exercising the 'core powers' of the presidency. Immunity means a person cannot be prosecuted - it is not merely a defense to prosecution. Although the majority did not outline the exact 'core powers,' nor what would lay outside them as an 'unofficial act' with even one example from the case at-hand, there is no greater or clearer example of a 'core power' than what is outlined in Article II, Section II of the U.S. Constitution stating that the 'President shall be the Commander in Chief.'

"During arguments on this case, a question was posed to Trump lawyers about whether a President could dispatch a 'SEAL Team' to kill his political enemies. Like the dissent articulated, the Court's decision Monday answers that question with 'yes.' Under this ruling, if a President, in their official capacity, orders the military to kill other Americans - judges, elected officials, reporters, your neighbor - they can do so. I think most Americans, and I include myself, think that should be a crime. But the Court decision says that a President who did that would be immune from accountability under criminal law.

"This is a radical departure from the Constitutional order and American history - it elevates the President to a position like a monarch. It is at odds with an essential American value that nobody should be above the law.

"I strongly disagree with the Supreme Court on this decision and pray for the future of our country."

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