Trump defends presidential immunity as SCOTUS agrees to hear arguments

Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered a vigorous defense of presidential immunity after the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments over his claims in special counsel Jack Smith's election case.

Smith indicted Trump in August of last year, though Trump has argued he is immune from prosecution in the matter. Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected those claims but has paused proceedings while Trump's appeal progresses. The Supreme Court set oral arguments for April 22.

"Legal Scholars are extremely thankful for the Supreme Court’s Decision today to take up Presidential Immunity. Without Presidential Immunity, a President will not be able to properly function, or make decisions, in the best interest of the United States of America," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Presidents will always be concerned, and even paralyzed, by the prospect of wrongful prosecution and retaliation after they leave office."

"This could actually lead to the extortion and blackmail of a President. The other side would say, 'If you don’t do something, just the way we want it, we are going to go after you when you leave office, or perhaps even sooner,'" he added.

Trump's trial was initially scheduled for March 4, but has been postponed pending resolution of the immunity dispute.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.