October Term 2019 · Docket 19-635
Can a state grand jury subpoena a sitting President's personal records?
The dispute centers on whether a state prosecutor may compel a sitting President to hand over personal financial records for a criminal investigation.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Jay Sekulow argued no county district attorney has issued criminal process against a sitting President in history.
Sekulow claimed the Constitution does not allow such process and that the New York prosecutor acknowledged Article II burdens.
General Francisco argued a local prosecutor must show a specific need for the President's personal records.
Francisco cited the potential threat state proceedings pose to the presidency as a reason for this requirement.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 14-22 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 14-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 12-50 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 12-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 10-44 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 10-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 6-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 46-48 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 46-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 52-22 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 52-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 38-36 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 38-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 40-42 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 40-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 44-10 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 44-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 18-54 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 18-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-50 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 10-20 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 10-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 30-50 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 30-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 8-8 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 8-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 52-26 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 52-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 14-22 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 14-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 52-54 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 52-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 14-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 10-28 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 10-28
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the limits of presidential immunity against state criminal process. the side that brought the case argues the Constitution bars such subpoenas to protect executive duties. the opposing side argues prosecutors must prove necessity before seeking these records.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 12-50 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 12-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 52-22 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 52-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 38-36 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 38-36
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on May 12, 2020.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 44-10 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 44-10
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the Court to quash the subpoena and bar state criminal process against a sitting President.
the opposing side wants the Court to allow the subpoena if the prosecutor demonstrates a specific need for the records.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 12-50 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 12-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 52-22 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 52-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 38-36 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 38-36
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the Constitution prohibits state criminal process against a sitting President to prevent interference with executive duties.
the opposing side argues a local prosecutor must show a specific need for the President's personal records before issuing a subpoena.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 12-50 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 12-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 52-22 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 52-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 38-36 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 38-36
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the side that brought the case argues the grand jury cannot investigate the President.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the side that brought the case accepts that grand juries can investigate but not use subpoenas effectively.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 14-22 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 14-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 10-44 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 10-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 6-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 46-48 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 46-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 40-42 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 40-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 44-10 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 44-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 18-54 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 18-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-50 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 10-20 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 10-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 30-50 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 30-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 8-8 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 8-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 52-26 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 52-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 14-22 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 14-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 52-54 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 52-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 14-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 10-28 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 10-28
Why it matters
This case defines the balance between presidential immunity and state criminal investigations. It determines whether sitting Presidents face unique legal barriers in state courts. The outcome shapes the scope of executive power and state prosecutorial authority.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 12-50 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 12-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 52-22 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 52-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 38-36 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 38-36
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 14-22 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 14-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 10-44 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 10-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 6-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 46-48 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 46-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 40-42 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 40-42
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 44-10 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 44-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 18-54 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 18-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-50 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 10-20 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 10-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 30-50 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 30-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 8-8 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 8-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 52-26 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 52-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 14-22 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 14-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 52-54 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 52-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 14-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 14-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 10-28 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 10-28
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 12-50 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 12-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 52-22 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 52-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 38-36 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 38-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 106, lines 12-50 — Transcript, file page 106, lines 12-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 30, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 30, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 22-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 22-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 52-22 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 52-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 38-36 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 38-36
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.