US Supreme Court will decide if former president Donald Trump can be prosecuted over January 6 Capitol riot.

The US Supreme Court will rule on whether former President Donald Trump can face prosecution for his alleged involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot. While the court has previously upheld that presidents are shielded from civil liability for official actions, Trump argues that this immunity should extend to criminal charges as well.

The court has previously said presidents are immune from civil liability for official acts, but Mr Trump has claimed that he should also be protected from criminal prosecution.

The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, said in an unsigned statement that it will consider “whether and if so to what extent does a former president enjoy presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts during his tenure in office”.

The court, three of whose nine members were appointed by Mr Trump, 77, has previously said presidents are immune from civil liability for official acts.

But Mr Trump, the odds-on favourite to be the Republican Party’s nominee for this year’s ballot, has claimed that he should also be protected from criminal prosecution.

Supreme Court justices will also hear Mr Trump’s appeal to remain on the presidential ballot despite attempts to kick him off because of his efforts following his election loss in 2020.

During arguments earlier this month, the court seemed likely to side with Mr Trump and a decision in that case could come any time.

The election interference case, brought by special counsel Jack Smith, is one of four prosecutions Mr Trump faces as he seeks to reclaim the White House.

Mr Trump is set to go on trial in New York next month over alleged hush money payments made to porn actor Stormy Daniels.