Trump's immunity claim denied in federal 2020 election case

A U.S. judge has rejected former President Donald Trump's claim of immunity from criminal charges for actions taken during his presidency, allowing a case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith accusing him of unlawfully trying to overturn the 2020 election to proceed. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that there is no legal basis for concluding that presidents cannot face criminal charges once they leave office. This is the first ruling by a U.S. court affirming that presidents can be charged with crimes like any other citizen. The trial is scheduled to begin in March, and Trump can appeal the ruling.