What Mr. Trump’s lawyer admitted at the Supreme Court: From the Politics Desk

Welcome to the online version of From the political deskis an evening newsletter from the NBC News political team that brings you the latest reporting and analysis from the campaign trail, the White House and Capitol Hill.

In today’s edition, reporters Lawrence Hurley and Ryan J. Reilly take a look at what happened in the Supreme Court arguments surrounding Donald Trump’s claim of absolute immunity from prosecution for things that happened while he was president. will be explained in detail. Additionally, reporters Alexandra Marquez and Bridget Bowman cover the moment Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke after the Ukraine aid vote was passed.

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What Trump’s lawyers admitted to the Supreme Court

Written by Lawrence Hurley and Ryan J. Riley

Former President Donald Trump has long advocated absolute immunity in federal election interference cases, but his lawyers struck a different tone Thursday in arguments before the Supreme Court. In fact, attorney D. John Sauer did something his clients rarely do. He made some concessions.

Sauer appeared to agree with Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led the prosecution, that the indictment contains allegations that do not relate to the president’s “official acts.”

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Sauer’s main argument was that any indictment is an official act and should be protected by immunity so that the president’s hands are not tied for fear of prosecution after he leaves office.

But Sauer accepted that Trump could be prosecuted for private actions unrelated to his official duties as president.

During oral argument, the justices focused on the public-private distinction. Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett and liberal Justice Elena Kagan both posed questions to Sauer about whether certain allegations in the indictment amounted to official conduct.

Sauer said Trump’s actions in three of the five situations questioned involved personal conduct and could be prosecuted. Read more about those situations here.

The concession comes as justices have expressed concerns about whether certain acts of the president should be off-limits, and the Supreme Court has signaled that a trial in Trump’s election interference case is unlikely to happen anytime soon. This was done in response to what was done.

As the justices examine arguments from both sides, they are likely to reject Trump’s broad claims of absolute immunity. However, the court may send the case back for further proceedings, making it unlikely that a trial will take place before the 2024 elections.

In other words, Sauer’s withdrawal may have little impact from an electoral perspective. Further delaying the Trump trial, which Sauer is so close to accomplishing, is itself a form of victory.

Read more on Day 7 of President Trump’s hush money trial NBC News Live Blog.

McConnell takes a victory lap – and calls from Ukraine

Written by Alexandra Marquez and Bridget Bowman

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is celebrating a victory after a bipartisan group of senators passed a foreign aid package containing more than $60 billion for Ukraine. He also received a phone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

McConnell spoke on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” In a meeting Thursday morning, Zelenskiy acknowledged the conflict between his own party and Republican leaders seeking additional aid.

“Well, he was grateful, because he knew there were big challenges in my party,” McConnell told host Kristen Welker in an interview recorded Thursday. McConnell said Zelenskiy also noted that more Republicans supported Tuesday’s sweeping aid package than when the Senate passed a similar bill in February but ultimately stalled in the House. Stated.

“I think there’s a growing sentiment in the Senate Republican conference that an isolationist path is not a good idea,” McConnell said.

In a separate interview with NBC News’ Frank Thorpe and Ryan Nobles on Wednesday, McConnell called the foreign aid package one of the most important victories in his nearly 40-year career. “It’s definitely one of the most important issues I’ve ever worked on.” I’ve been involved with it for many years now. ”

“And some would argue that from a global perspective, that’s the most important,” McConnell added.

McConnell’s victory comes as he plans to step down as Republican leader at the end of this year. And the package will add to his list of accomplishments, including a conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court after the Senate decided not to consider then-President Barack Obama’s nominee in 2016. This may also include forming.

McConnell weighed in on current cases in the courts, telling “Meet the Press” that presidents should not be immune from criminal prosecution for actions they committed while in office.

Republican leaders continued to stand by their statements from 2021 after voting to acquit former President Trump during his second impeachment for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. McConnell said at the time: “We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil cases. Former presidents are not immune to that. [held] Someone is responsible. ”

“That’s my view,” McConnell reiterated Thursday. “But my opinion is just my opinion, which means the court will decide.”

Read more about McConnell’s “Meet the Press” Interview and watch Sunday’s interview. →

That’s all from the political desk for now. If you have any feedback, whether you like it or not, please email us at: politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com

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