Politics
Trump seeks ‘complete & total presidential immunity’
By Jake Beardslee · January 18, 2024
In brief…
- Trump argues presidents should have total immunity from prosecution for any crimes while in office
- He hopes the Supreme Court will back this view and dismiss his criminal charges
- Trump has gained momentum despite criticism, winning Iowa and most Senate GOP support
Former President Donald Trump argued Thursday that presidents should have “complete and total” immunity from prosecution for any crimes committed while in office, even if those actions “cross the line.”
“EVEN EVENTS THAT ‘CROSS THE LINE’ MUST FALL UNDER TOTAL IMMUNITY, OR IT WILL BE YEARS OF TRAUMA TRYING TO DETERMINE GOOD FROM BAD,” Trump wrote in all capital letters on his social media platform Truth Social.
He added: “SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH ‘GREAT BUT SLIGHTLY IMPERFECT.’ ALL PRESIDENTS MUST HAVE COMPLETE & TOTAL PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY, OR THE AUTHORITY & DECISIVENESS OF A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WILL BE STRIPPED & GONE FOREVER. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE AN EASY DECISION. GOD BLESS THE SUPREME COURT!”
Trump’s lawyers have argued in federal court that his actions seeking to overturn the 2020 election results should be considered official acts covered by presidential immunity, even as he faces criminal charges over those efforts.
However, appeals court judges have seemed unlikely to accept that stance. Trump’s latest comments indicate he hopes the conservative-majority Supreme Court will intervene and rule in his favor.
Trump’s bid for blanket immunity has drawn criticism from both parties. Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley called it “ridiculous.”
Despite the criticism, Trump has picked up political momentum after winning the Iowa Republican caucuses earlier this week.