Former President Trump responded to the Supreme Court's "huge" presidential immunity hearing Thursday, saying he felt it had been made "clear" that the president "should have immunity."
The former president spoke to reporters after sitting for hours in a Manhattan courtroom Thursday — the seventh day of his criminal trial stemming from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's investigation.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all 34 counts of first-degree tampering with business records.
While Trump sat in court listening to testimony, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the question of presidential immunity and whether he has immunity from prosecution in a case separate - special prosecutor Jack Smith's case related to interference in the 2020 election.
Trump had requested to attend the proceedings in Washington, D.C., but was refused by New York Judge Juan Merchant, who asked the former president to be present in court every day of his criminal trial.
“I had to be here, and I'm glad I did, because it was a very interesting day in a way,” Trump told reporters.
“The United States Supreme Court held an extensive hearing on presidential immunity and impunity,” Trump said. “And I think it's been made clear, and I hope it's very clear, that the president should have immunity.”
Trump reiterated his previous argument that without immunity, the president would be reduced to a purely "ceremonial" position.
“This is not what the founders had in mind,” he said. “We want presidents who can be absolutely extraordinary, absolutely extraordinary.”
The former president said the Supreme Court justices "were on their game."
“So let’s see how it goes,” he said. "But again, I say presidential immunity is very strong. Presidential immunity is imperative, otherwise you won't have a country anymore."
The Supreme Court heard arguments from John Sawyer, who presented arguments on the issue on behalf of the former president and the presumptive Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election.
Justice Department prosecutor Michael Dreebin presented the arguments on behalf of the government and special counsel Jack Smith.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the issue by mid-June.