As the issue of presidential immunity heads to the Supreme Court, a significant portion of Republican adults in the United States believe that presidents should not be held accountable for crimes committed while in office, according to a recent poll.
Poll Findings
The Ipsos/Politico Magazine poll, conducted from March 8-10 among US adults, revealed that only 24% of self-identified Republican respondents agreed with the argument put forth by former President Donald Trump, advocating for total immunity for presidents. Trump’s assertion, echoed in both court filings and social media posts, contends that even actions “that cross the line” should be shielded from legal consequences during a president’s tenure.
In contrast, nearly half (48%) of surveyed Republicans opposed the notion of granting presidents absolute immunity, while 27% remained undecided. The sentiment among Democrats and independents differed significantly, with only 3% and 8%, respectively, expressing support for presidential immunity.
Legal Proceedings
In February, a federal appeals court dismissed Trump’s immunity claim, emphasizing that such a stance would undermine the foundational principles of the US government’s separation of powers. Despite this setback, Trump’s legal team appealed the decision, leading the US Supreme Court to agree to review the matter. Justices are scheduled to hear arguments on the case in late April, raising questions about the judiciary’s impartiality in delivering a ruling.
Public Trust in the Supreme Court
The Ipsos/Politico Magazine survey also gauged public trust in the Supreme Court’s ability to render a fair and non-partisan decision regarding Trump’s immunity claims. Results indicated a lack of confidence, with 46% of respondents expressing skepticism, 24% expressing trust, and 29% remaining undecided. Notably, a significant majority (nearly 70%) of Democrats expressed distrust in the predominantly Conservative Supreme Court’s capacity to deliver an impartial verdict.
Legal Experts’ Insights
Legal experts suggest that while Trump faces slim odds of success in his Supreme Court case, a potential delay in facing legal proceedings could still be advantageous for him. Delaying a trial, particularly in special counsel Jack Smith’s federal case against him, could provide Trump with strategic advantages, despite the overall unlikelihood of a favorable outcome in the Supreme Court.
Leave a Reply