Former President Donald Trump is making waves again by arguing that presidents should enjoy complete immunity from prosecution, even for criminal activities.
Trump, known for his bombastic statements, took to Truth Social with an all-caps post, declaring, “Even events that ‘cross the line’ must fall under total immunity. A president of the United States must have full immunity, without which it would be impossible for him/her to properly function.”
Trump’s insistence on absolute immunity is fueling intense speculation, hinting at a deep-seated fear that the appeals court might strip away his shield, paving the way for prosecution over crimes committed throughout his presidency and beyond.
Watch Morning Joe’s take on Trump’s claim of absolute immunity below:
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Seizing the opportunity as a defendant in court, Trump strategically rallies his political supporters in the Republican primaries, injecting adrenaline into an already charged political atmosphere. His claim to an absolute power of presidential authority, even post-presidency, has set off alarm bells among opponents and critics, casting a shadow over the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
A federal appeals panel expressed deep skepticism about Trump’s immunity claim, raising eyebrow-raising questions about whether it could pave the way for presidents to sell pardons or, shockingly, even assassinate political opponents. The stakes are high as Trump urges the DC US Circuit Court of Appeals to toss out the election subversion criminal case filed by special counsel Jack Smith, who leveled four charges against Trump related to his post-election power struggle.
In a fiery courtroom exchange, the special counsel’s team argued passionately that no president should be above the law. They emphasized the potentially “awfully scary” consequences of lacking a criminal mechanism to prevent future presidents from intentionally breaking the law to retain power. The appeals court, currently deliberating on the explosive issue of presidential immunity, could ultimately thrust the matter onto the lap of the US Supreme Court.
Trump’s call for “full immunity” has created a spectacle, yet his legal team introduces nuances, contending that immunity should cover actions considered official duties of the presidency. Trump echoes this argument, asserting that his public questioning of the 2020 election result was part of his job governing the nation.
The legal saga takes another twist as Trump’s attorney suggests that a former president could only be charged with a crime if the Senate convicts following impeachment in the House. This assertion faces intense scrutiny from the panel of judges, with one expressing harsh doubt about the broad extent of constitutional protections over a president’s actions.
Impeached by the House of Representatives after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, Trump was ultimately acquitted by the Senate. However, the lingering question of accountability continues to loom large. The ongoing immunity case emerges as one of Trump’s last-ditch efforts to disrupt his impending trial set for early March, presenting a riveting spectacle that promises to redefine the boundaries of presidential power.
