As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments on April 25, Attorney General Todd Rokita is advocating for presidential immunity for former President Donald Trump. This move aims to shield him from what Rokita describes as partisan political prosecutions related to actions taken during his presidency.
Rokita stated, "As president, Donald Trump built a strong economy, secured the border and brought America back to greatness." He added that since Trump left office, political adversaries have sought ways to prevent him from running for president again. "Our mission is to make sure the American people, rather than these corrupt elitists, keep the power to choose the American president," he said.
A Special Counsel appointed by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland indicted Trump nearly three years after January 6, 2021—when protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol—for his actions on that day. The Special Counsel is now pushing for a trial before the 2024 election.
An amicus brief led by Alabama and joined by Indiana and other states has been filed with the Supreme Court. It requests that partisan-driven criminal prosecutions not interfere with the constitutional functions of the presidency.
Trump faces additional legal challenges in Georgia, Florida, and New York beyond those related to January 6. Rokita commented on this trend: "The Left has made an art form out of weaponizing our judicial institutions against their political adversaries," he said. "No matter which side does it, that kind of manipulation is wrong and dangerous to our republic."
Rokita's position emphasizes affirming immunity for presidents and former presidents regarding official acts conducted during their tenure. Trump maintains he is entitled to such immunity concerning his actions on January 6.
Earlier this year, Rokita co-led efforts defending Trump's right to appear on ballots despite state court objections in Colorado. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of Trump's ballot eligibility—a decision supported by amicus briefs from Indiana and West Virginia signed by multiple states.
An amicus brief related to the January 6 case was filed on March 19.