Latest News and Analysis from the NBC News Politics Team: Supreme Court Arguments and McConnell’s Victory Lap

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Thursday regarding former President Donald Trump’s claim of absolute immunity from prosecution for actions taken during his presidency. Trump’s lawyer, D. John Sauer, made some surprising concessions during the proceedings, acknowledging that Trump could be prosecuted for private acts not related to his official duties.

The justices focused on the distinction between public and private actions, with both conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett and liberal Justice Elena Kagan questioning Sauer on specific allegations in the indictment. Sauer admitted that Trump’s conduct in some situations involved private actions that could be subject to prosecution.

While the Supreme Court seemed likely to reject Trump’s claim of absolute immunity, the case may be remanded for further proceedings, potentially delaying any trial until after the 2024 election. This delay could be seen as a victory for Sauer, as it would push back any potential trial.

In other news, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell celebrated a bipartisan victory in passing a foreign aid package that included significant funding for Ukraine. McConnell also received a phone call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who thanked him for his efforts in securing the aid.

McConnell, who plans to step down as GOP leader, called the aid package one of the most significant wins of his career. He reiterated his belief that presidents should not be immune from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office, a stance he maintained after voting to acquit Trump during his second impeachment trial.

Overall, both the Supreme Court arguments and McConnell’s victory highlight the ongoing political and legal battles shaping the current landscape in Washington. Stay tuned for more updates from the NBC News Politics team.