Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/19pdf/19-635_o7jq.pdf
Page Number: 55

Cite as:  591 U. S. ____ (2020) 

11 

ALITO, J., dissenting 

Court  conceded  only  that  “perhaps”  a  sitting  President
could  not  be  prosecuted  for  an  offense  punishable  by
“lengthy imprisonment” but that an offense requiring only
a short trial would be another matter.  395 F. Supp. 3d 283,
289, 311 (SDNY 2019).  And the Second Circuit was silent 
on the question. 

The  scenario  apparently  contemplated  by  the  District 
Court  is  striking.  If  a  sitting  President  were  charged  in
New York County, would he be arrested and fingerprinted?
He  would  presumably  be  required  to  appear  for  arraign-
ment in criminal court, where the judge would set the con-
ditions for his release.  Could he be sent to Rikers Island or 
be  required  to  post  bail?  Could  the  judge  impose  re-
strictions on his travel?  If the President were scheduled to 
travel abroad—perhaps to attend a G–7 meeting—would he
have to get judicial approval?  If the President were charged
with a complicated offense requiring a long trial, would he 
have to put his Presidential responsibilities aside for weeks 
on end while sitting in a Manhattan courtroom?  While the 
trial was in progress, would aides be able to approach him
and whisper in his ear about pressing matters?  Would he 
be able to obtain a recess whenever he needed to speak with 
an  aide  at  greater  length  or  attend  to  an  urgent  matter,
such as speaking with a foreign leader?  Could he effectively
carry out all his essential Presidential responsibilities after 
the trial day ended and at the same time adequately confer 
with his trial attorneys regarding his defense?  Or should 
he be expected to give up the right to attend his own trial
and be tried in absentia?  And if he were convicted, could he 
be imprisoned?  Would aides be installed in a nearby cell? 

This entire imagined scene is farcical.  The “right of all 

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argument in this Court, however, counsel for respondent stated: “We’re
mindful that as a state actor our office cannot investigate a president for
any official acts and that we cannot prosecute a president while in office.” 
Tr. of Oral Arg. 54.