Richard Stengel, a former U.S. State Department official, has claimed that although the Supreme Court gave President Donald Trump broad immunity for official presidential actions, it does not protect him from legal action over activities carried out in a personal capacity.
Speaking during an appearance on MSNBC’s MS NOW on Sunday, Stengel argued that Trump could still face a large number of lawsuits once he leaves office. He said he believes the president’s business activities, particularly those linked to his cryptocurrency project, could eventually come under close legal scrutiny.
Stengel said that while previous presidents have faced accusations of misconduct, he believes the scale of the allegations surrounding Trump is unlike anything seen before. He accused the president of having multiple conflicts of interest and claimed there are concerns involving both the U.S. Constitution’s domestic and foreign Emoluments Clauses.
He also pointed to reports that the United Arab Emirates spent around $400 million purchasing Trump’s meme cryptocurrency token, describing the situation as difficult to comprehend.
In 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts carried out while serving in office. However, the ruling made clear that it does not extend to actions considered private or unofficial.
Because of that distinction, Stengel predicted that Trump could face legal claims after his presidency ends. He suggested that nearly one million people who reportedly lost a combined $3.81 billion investing in the president’s official cryptocurrency token, known as TRUMP, could pursue lawsuits seeking compensation.
According to Stengel, Trump may be protected from prosecution for decisions made as president, but he believes private business activities remain open to investigation. He also said he expects shareholder lawsuits from investors who suffered major financial losses after buying the cryptocurrency.
The comments came after Trump’s latest financial disclosure reports showed that his personal wealth increased by an estimated $2.2 billion during his first year back in the White House.
When asked recently about the sharp increase in his wealth, Trump said it was largely because of the strong performance of the stock market.
“You know why I’m profiting?” Trump said. “Because the stock market’s going up, everybody’s profiting.”
Stengel disagreed with that explanation, arguing that many ordinary Americans, including some of Trump’s own supporters, have not experienced the same level of financial gains. He suggested that Trump’s approach is to carry out his actions openly and on such a large scale that many people struggle to understand or respond to them.
His remarks add to the continuing debate over the limits of presidential immunity, the president’s financial interests, and whether future legal challenges could arise once Trump leaves office. While no such lawsuits have yet been decided, Stengel believes the legal questions surrounding Trump’s business dealings are far from over.
