Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf
Page Number: 14.0

6 

TRUMP v. UNITED STATES 

Opinion of the Court 

his official capacity as President.  See Tr. of Oral Arg. 30– 
32.  Although the Government agrees that some official ac-
tions are included in the indictment’s allegations, see id., at 
125, it maintains that a former President does not enjoy im-
munity from criminal prosecution for any actions, regard-
less  of  how  they  are  characterized.    See  Brief  for  United 
States 9. 

We  conclude  that  under  our  constitutional  structure  of 
separated  powers,  the  nature  of  Presidential  power  re-
quires that a former President have some immunity from
criminal  prosecution  for  official  acts  during  his  tenure  in 
office.  At least with respect to the President’s exercise of 
his core constitutional powers, this immunity must be ab-
solute.  As for his remaining official actions, he is also enti-
tled  to  immunity.  At  the  current  stage  of  proceedings  in
this case, however, we need not and do not decide whether 
that immunity must be absolute, or instead whether a pre-
sumptive immunity is sufficient. 

A 
Article II of the Constitution provides that “[t]he execu-
tive  Power  shall  be  vested  in  a  President  of  the  United 
States of America.”  §1, cl. 1.  The President’s duties are of 
“unrivaled gravity and breadth.”  Trump v. Vance, 591 U. S. 
786,  800  (2020).  They  include,  for  instance,  commanding 
the Armed Forces of the United States; granting reprieves
and pardons for offenses against the United States; and ap-
pointing public ministers and consuls, the Justices of this
Court, and Officers of the United States.  See §2.  He also 
has  important  foreign  relations  responsibilities:  making
treaties, appointing ambassadors, recognizing foreign gov-
ernments,  meeting  foreign  leaders,  overseeing  interna-
tional diplomacy and intelligence gathering, and managing 
matters related to terrorism, trade, and immigration.  See 
§§2, 3.  Domestically, he must “take Care that the Laws be 
faithfully executed,” §3, and he bears responsibility for the