October Term 2023 · Docket 23-939
Does a former president hold absolute criminal immunity for official acts?
The dispute centers on whether a former president can be criminally prosecuted for actions taken while in office.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
Mr. Sauer argued that no president faced prosecution for official acts in 234 years.
Mr. Sauer claimed the Framers viewed an energetic executive as essential to liberty.
Mr. Dreeben stated the Court never recognized absolute criminal immunity for officials.
Mr. Dreeben argued the side that brought the case claims permanent immunity unless impeached and convicted.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 55-27 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 55-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 55-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 179, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 179, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 35-23 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 35-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-25
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the scope of presidential power against criminal accountability.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 179, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 179, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-41
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 25, 2024.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 33-43
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants dismissal of the criminal charges.
The government wants the charges to proceed to trial.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 179, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 179, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-41
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the presidency requires absolute immunity for official acts.
The government argues no public official holds absolute criminal immunity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 179, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 179, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-41
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked how the immunity mechanism functions.
Chief Justice Roberts asked how to distinguish bribery from official duties.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 55-27 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 55-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 55-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 35-23 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 35-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-25
Why it matters
The outcome defines the legal limits of presidential power. It determines whether former presidents face criminal liability for official conduct. This shapes the balance between executive authority and the rule of law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 179, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 179, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-41
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 23-47 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 55-21 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 55-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 53-45 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 53-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 55-27 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 55-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 55-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 11-15 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 11-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 33-43 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 33-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 51-51 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 51-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 15-23 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 15-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 41-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 41-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 7-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 7-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-43 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 35-23 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 35-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 43-9 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 43-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-47 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 15-25
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 179, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 179, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 21-37 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 21-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 179, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 179, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-41
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.