TL/DR –
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that former President Donald Trump does not have immunity from federal prosecution in the case accusing him of attempting to overturn the 2020 election. The decision came after Trump’s lawyers argued that his actions were official acts taken during his presidency and thus, he should be granted immunity. However, the court stated that no President has unbounded authority to commit crimes, pushing the case one step closer to trial.
Court Ruling: Trump Not Immune From Federal Prosecution in Election Interference Case
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that Donald Trump does not have immunity from federal prosecution in the case accusing him of seeking to overturn the 2020 election. This unanimous decision moves the case closer to trial.
This comes after Trump’s lawyers’ claim that he had immunity due to the actions being official acts during his presidency. The court agreed with federal lawyers who argued that such immunity would dangerously allow presidents to commit crimes while in office.
The D.C. Circuit Court highlighted the paradox of a President, vested with the duty to ensure laws are faithfully executed, being able to defy those laws without consequence. They rejected former President Trump’s claim that a President possesses unlimited authority to commit crimes neutralizing checks on executive power.
The judges argued that, for the purpose of the federal investigation into election interference, Trump has the same rights and defenses as any other criminal defendant.
Judge Karen Henderson, a Republican-appointed judge who noted during oral argument in January, found it paradoxical that Trump’s constitutional duty allowed him to violate criminal laws.
This ruling applies to the D.C. Circuit and does not directly impact other criminal indictments against Trump, including in the Fulton County, GA case, where Trump has also claimed “presidential immunity”.
Should Trump appeal this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, the court will decide on considering and issuing an opinion on the immunity question.
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