(TheProudRepublic.com) – In a new move defending his record, former President Donald Trump has insisted that presidents of the United States should be entitled to “full immunity” from prosecution to be able to fulfill his or her responsibilities properly.
At 77 years old, Trump’s statement came amidst legal arguments that he should not face charges for any actions during his presidency, specifically referencing the events of January 6, 2021, at the Capitol.
Trump expressed his views on Truth Social, emphasizing that a US president requires complete legal protection.
“A president of the United States must have full immunity, without which it would be impossible for him/her to properly function. Any mistake, even if well intended, would be met with almost certain indictment by the opposing party at term-end,” adding, “Even events that ‘cross the line’ must fall under total immunity, or it will be years of trauma trying to determine good from bad. There must be certainty,” wrote the 45th president of the United States.
This theory of presidential immunity faced scrutiny from a three-judge panel of the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, notes a report by The New York Post.
During the proceedings, Judge Florence Pan, appointed by President Biden, questioned whether a president could order an assassination of a political rival without consequences.
Trump’s lawyer, John Sauer, suggested this would be possible only if the president was first impeached and convicted.
“Could a president order SEAL Team Six to assassinate a political rival? That is an official act, an order to SEAL Team Six,” Judge Florence Pan asked.
“If he were impeached and convicted first,” Sauer answered.
“So your answer is no,” Pan said.
“My answer is a qualified yes,” Sauer responded.
Additionally, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected the idea of lifelong immunity for presidents, implying it doesn’t grant a perpetual shield from legal consequences, The Post points out.
Trump also warned of potential indictments against President Biden in the absence of presidential immunity and mentioned his intent to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the Biden family’s international business engagements.
In a further statement, Trump likened the situation to law enforcement, suggesting that preventing police from effective crime prevention due to the risk of “rogue cops” is impractical.
He argued for accepting a “great but slightly imperfect” system.
