The Supreme Court is hearing arguments Thursday in the blockbuster case over whether former President Donald Trump may claim immunity from prosecution in the federal election subversion case. Follow here for the latest live news updates, analysis and more.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments on Trump’s claim of “absolute immunity.” Several news organizations are carrying the arguments live (including the linked article). You can also listen on several YouTube channels, including:
And just so people know, Trump’s lawyer is now on record as supporting the idea that the president can order the military to perform a coup and be immune from prosecution.
Effectively yes, he did say that staging a coup could be considered official duties of a president and possibly legal. The nuance of his argument is even worse.
He claims that the lresident is immune from any prosecution unless impeached and removed from office first. So a coup is legal if he is never impeached, including if he is removed from office due to a failed coup either by the transfer of office or resigning. This would of course provide immunity for someone who was leaving office and time was not available to be removed, say for shenanigans in Janurary.
Right, and the Court could easily release a ruling on the very last possible day in June that gives guidance to lower courts saying exactly that, in such a manner that the rulings on those lower courts are still appealable, and Poof! The Supreme Court hands Trump a resounding loss, in such a manner that delays all of his trials to past Election Day.
So far, every Justice who’s spoken has sounded extremely skeptical, even Thomas.
And just so people know, Trump’s lawyer is now on record as supporting the idea that the president can order the military to perform a coup and be immune from prosecution.
Effectively yes, he did say that staging a coup could be considered official duties of a president and possibly legal. The nuance of his argument is even worse.
He claims that the lresident is immune from any prosecution unless impeached and removed from office first. So a coup is legal if he is never impeached, including if he is removed from office due to a failed coup either by the transfer of office or resigning. This would of course provide immunity for someone who was leaving office and time was not available to be removed, say for shenanigans in Janurary.
It also says that the President is immune from anything at all as long as 34 Senators agree to take his side.
Which means he could have senators threatened or murdered, and if he lowers the numbers of senators enough to prevent his conviction, he walks free.
And his followers cheer.
That’s good, but don’t forget that the whole point of this trial was to delay, delay, delay. Even if they lose, they already won.
Right, and the Court could easily release a ruling on the very last possible day in June that gives guidance to lower courts saying exactly that, in such a manner that the rulings on those lower courts are still appealable, and Poof! The Supreme Court hands Trump a resounding loss, in such a manner that delays all of his trials to past Election Day.