THE US Supreme Court has ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, all but ending any hope that Donald Trump could face trial before the next election in November on charges of plotting to overturn his 2020 presidential election defeat.

In Monday’s historic six-three ruling, the court’s conservative majority — including three judges appointed by Mr Trump — narrowed the case against him and returned it to the trial court to determine what is left of special counsel Jack Smith’s indictment.

Posting on X, the former president crowed about a “big win for our constitution and democracy.”