Trump, president from 2017 to 2021, has regularly made sweeping claims of immunity both while in office and since leaving the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2020 spurned Trump's argument that he was absolutely immune from state criminal investigations while president. The judge said Trump's actions leading up to the riot, casting doubt on the election results, were not official responsibilities. The case is one of four criminal prosecutions Trump, 77, faces as he seeks to retake the White House. Trump has asserted that impeachment, where the U.S. Congress can charge and try presidents for misconduct, is the appropriate way to hold presidents accountable for official actions.

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Persons: Donald Trump, Letitia James, Caitlin Ochs, Stormy Daniels, Trump, Jack Smith, Mike Pence, Andrew Goudsward, Luc Cohen, Ismail Shakil, Susan Heavey, Scott Malone, Howard Goller Organizations: U.S, Trump Organization, REUTERS, Rights, White, Supreme, Capitol, Republican, Justice Department, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Washington, York, Congress, New York