Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf
Page Number: 68

Cite as:  603 U. S. ____ (2024) 

1 

SOTOMAYOR, J., dissenting 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES 

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No. 23–939 
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DONALD J. TRUMP, PETITIONER v. 
UNITED STATES 

ON WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF 
APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT 

[July 1, 2024]

 JUSTICE  SOTOMAYOR,  with  whom  JUSTICE  KAGAN  and 

JUSTICE JACKSON join, dissenting. 

Today’s decision to grant former Presidents criminal im-
munity reshapes the institution of the Presidency.  It makes 
a mockery of the principle, foundational to our Constitution
and system of Government, that no man is above the law.
Relying on little more than its own misguided wisdom about 
the  need  for  “bold  and  unhesitating  action”  by  the  Presi-
dent, ante, at 3, 13, the Court gives former President Trump 
all the immunity he asked for and more.  Because our Con-
stitution does not shield a former President from answering
for criminal and treasonous acts, I dissent. 

I 
The indictment paints a stark portrait of a President des-

perate to stay in power.

In  the  weeks  leading  up  to  January  6,  2021,  then- 
President Trump allegedly “spread lies that there had been
outcome-determinative  fraud  in  the  election  and  that  he 
had actually won,” App. 181, Indictment ¶2, despite being 
“notified repeatedly” by his closest advisers “that his claims
were untrue,” id., at 188, ¶11.

When  dozens  of  courts  swiftly  rejected  these  claims, 
Trump allegedly “pushed officials in certain states to ignore 
the popular vote; disenfranchise millions of voters; dismiss