"... the issue before us is the scope of the immunity possessed by the President of the United States.  This Court consistently has recognized that government officials are entitled to some form of immunity from suites for civil damages. Considerations of "public policy and convenience" therefore compelled a judicial recognition of immunity from suits arising from official acts. In exercising the functions of his office, the head of an Executive Department, keeping within the limits of his authority, should not be under an apprehension that the motives that control his official conduct may, at any time, become the subject of an inquiry in a civil suit for damages. It would seriously cripple the proper and effective administration of public affairs as entrusted to the executive branch of the government, if he were subjected to any such restraint. Applying the principles of our cases to claims of this kind, we hold that petitioner, as a former President of the United States, is entitled to absolute immunity from damages liability predicated on his official acts."

That is what the supreme court said.

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... In 1982 in the Nixon v Fitzgerald case.