Trump’s lawyer suggested in court that a President “should” be given immunity in the hypothetical case that they were to have an opponent “assassinated.” Here’s the full story.
Trump’s Appeal and Presidential Immunity
Donald Trump’s legal team launched a bold defence on Tuesday, asserting that US presidents are immune from prosecution even in cases of election interference.
Appeal in Progress
The former president is appealing federal charges related to allegations of subverting the 2020 election results, including the charge of “conspiracy to defraud the United States.”
Absolute Immunity
Trump’s attorneys contended that he enjoys “absolute immunity” from prosecution for actions undertaken while he held the office of the US president.
Legal Shield
This legal shield, according to his defence, extends even to extreme scenarios like ordering the political assassination of a member of the opposition.
Trump’s Concerns About Legal Precedent
Speaking outside the court, Trump expressed his apprehension about the case, likening it to opening a “Pandora’s Box” of prosecuting political officials.
Future Legal Action
He warned that such a precedent could lead to future legal actions against Joe Biden, citing concerns about the US’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Bedlam
Trump argued, “I think they feel this is the way they’re going to try and win, and that’s not the way it goes. There will be bedlam in the country.”
Ongoing Debate
The concept of presidential immunity has been a subject of legal and constitutional debate throughout US history. While presidents are afforded certain protections to carry out their duties without fear of constant legal scrutiny, the idea of absolute immunity for any action, including potential criminal activities, pushes the boundaries of the law.
Trump’s Call for Immunity
Emphasizing the need for immunity, Trump stated, “When they talk about a threat to democracy, that’s your real threat to democracy. And I feel that as president you need to have immunity.”
Legal Reservations
The legal panel, however, didn’t seem too enthralled by Trump’s legal team’s argument. They expressed reservations about the concept of “absolute immunity.”
Hypothetical Scenario
Dean John Sauer, Trump’s attorney, faced tough questions, with Judge Florence Pan even posing a hypothetical scenario: “Could a president order Seal Team Six to assassinate a political rival?”
Growing Scepticism
The lawyer replied, “He would have to be, and would, speedily be impeached and convicted before the criminal prosecution.” The scepticism from the panel shows that Trump may be fighting a lost cause with this one.
Implications of Immunity
The prosecution raised concerns about the potential implications of presidential immunity. James Pearce, a federal prosecutor representing Jack Smith, who brought the election interference charges, questioned the kind of world we would live in if a president’s actions, even grave ones, were not subject to criminal proceedings.
Frightening Future
“What kind of world are we living in if a president orders a Seal team to assassinate a political rival and resigns, for example, before an impeachment?” he said, “Not a criminal act. A president sells a pardon, resigns or is not impeached? Not a crime… I think that is an extraordinarily frightening future… I think that should weigh extraordinarily heavily in the court’s consideration.”
Court’s Decision and Potential Impact
The judges heard legal arguments for less than two hours before retiring. The panel may decide narrowly on Trump’s immunity in this specific case or issue a broader judgment on presidential immunity.
Ripple Effect
The decision’s ripple effect could reach the Supreme Court, impacting other criminal cases against Trump in Georgia, New York, and Florida.
A Pivotal Moment
This pivotal moment in legal history not only determines Trump’s legal fate but sets a precedent that will echo through future debates on presidential accountability.
Postponement of Capitol Riots Case
The Washington case, also addressing Trump’s alleged involvement in the Capitol riots of January 6, 2021, was initially set for March 5. However, it is likely to be postponed pending the outcome of Trump’s appeals.
Strategy of Delay
His legal team hopes for delayed verdicts, strategically pushing them beyond November 5, the date of the presidential election, giving him the potential power to pardon himself for federal convictions.
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The post Trump’s Legal Team: Presidential Immunity Should Always Be Granted, Even in Cases of Assassination first appeared on Edge Media.
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Oscar Davies, an expert in US and UK politics and sports, is renowned for his sharp and engaging writing style, appealing to a broad spectrum of readers.