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No. 19-635October Term 2019Decided Jul 9, 2020

Docket 19-635October Term 2019 (2019–2020)

Trump v. Vance

The key issue is whether a sitting President can block a state criminal subpoena for personal records held by a third party.

Case status

Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jul 9, 2020
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedJul 9, 2020
What it's about

This case was about whether a New York grand jury could subpoena President Trump’s personal financial records from his accounting firm while he was in office. The Supreme Court held that the President is not absolutely immune from this kind of state criminal subpoena and that prosecutors do not have to meet a special heightened standard just because the subpoena involves a sitting President.

Question presented

Whether this subpoena violates Article II and the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution.

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit / Decision released Jul 9, 2020

Area

Decided Supreme Court case

Briefing

What it's about

This case asks whether a New York grand jury could subpoena President Trump's personal financial records from his accounting firm while he was in office. The question is whether that subpoena violates Article II and the Supremacy Clause.

Vote

The case is still pending, and no oral argument is scheduled yet. The dispute centers on whether a state grand jury subpoena for the President's personal records can go forward while he is in office.

Impact

The answer could shape how far state prosecutors can go when investigating a sitting President. For example, it affects whether a local district attorney can seek records from a President's accountant during a criminal inquiry.

What's next

Watch for oral argument to be scheduled or for another move on the Court's calendar. No decision window is available yet.

What is the main fight in Trump v. Vance?

The fight is over a New York grand jury subpoena for President Trump's personal financial records kept by his accounting firm. The Court is being asked whether the subpoena is unconstitutional.

Why could this case matter beyond President Trump?

It could define how state prosecutors investigate any sitting President. That matters when records are held by outside firms, like accountants or banks.

What should people watch for next in this case?

The next big step is whether the Supreme Court schedules oral argument or takes another procedural action. There is no set decision timeline yet.

Decision

Decision record

What the Court decided

The key issue is whether a sitting President can block a state criminal subpoena for personal records held by a third party.

Impact

The answer could shape how far state prosecutors can go when investigating a sitting President. For example, it affects whether a local district attorney can seek records from a President's accountant during a criminal inquiry.

Not official Court text.

Opinion documents

Timing

Decided July 9, 2020

The Court released its decision on July 9, 2020 without hearing oral argument.