US court rules Trump has no presidential immunity

Donald Trump does not have presidential immunity and can be prosecuted on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election, a US court has ruled.

The DC Circuit Court of Appeals panel announced the decision on Tuesday.

The former president is expected to appeal against the ruling.

Special Counsel Jack Smith has charged Trump with conspiring to overturn the 2020 election.

But Trump claimed he was carrying out his official duties as president when the 6 January riots happened, and in the weeks leading up to it.

Trump has claimed having no presidential immunity would open “Pandora’s box” and unleash political backlash against future presidents.

Trump has already sent a fundraising email to his supporters, calling for them to “chip in” to end what he is calling a “witch hunt”.

The email is titled – “Breaking from President Trump”, and it tells supporters “moments ago, federal judges just ruled that I have no presidential immunity”.

It goes on to say “they won’t stop until they have complete control”.

Trump has frequently used his various legal issues to drum up support and cash for his 2024 presidential campaign.

He sent a similar fundraising plea earlier this year while he was on his way to the DC court to attend a hearing on this same immunity case.