A landmark case? Takeaways from Trump's immunity claim at Supreme Court

Former President Donald Trump welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to hear his argument for immunity from federal charges he tried to steal the 2020 election, but legal experts feared a broad protection from prosecution after leaving office could turn presidents into dictators.

The high court’s decision to hear the landmark case in April will delay the high-profile criminal trial for months. It's unclear whether the delay will push the trial beyond the November election.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the charges are politically motivated. If he returns to the White House, he could appoint an attorney general who would seek to dismiss any pending federal charges. Trump could also simply pardon himself, although his power to do so is debated.

Whatever the decision, the case could set new boundaries between the three branches of government by clarifying when former presidents can be tried in the courts under laws that Congress approved.