Pressed in court, Trump’s lawyers made an argument that would destroy nearly all limitations on presidential power.
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In a hearing before the D.C. Circuit Court, the former president’s lawyers argued that he should be immune from criminal prosecution for his role in the attempt to steal the 2020 presidential election. This argument has an obvious flaw: It implies that the president is above the law. Such a blunt rejection of the Constitution and the basic concept of American democracy is too much even for Trump to assert—publicly, at least—so his lawyers have proposed a theory. They say that he can’t be criminally prosecuted unless he is first impeached and convicted by Congress.
This argument is no less dangerous, as a hypothetical asked in court demonstrated in chilling terms. Judge Florence Pan asked Trump’s attorney, D. John Sauer, if “a president who ordered SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival” could be criminally prosecuted. Sauer tried to hem and haw his way through an answer but ultimately stated that such a president couldn’t be prosecuted unless he was first impeached, convicted, and removed by Congress.
“But if he weren’t, there would be no criminal prosecution, no criminal liability for that?” Pan pressed. Sauer had no choice but to agree, because acknowledging any exceptions would have blown a hole in his argument.
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What lawyers say in court is not the same as what politicians say or will do in office, but no normal politician would allow such an argument to be made on his behalf, especially while sitting in the courtroom. Trump did because his mentality is victory at all costs—winning the present legal case, but also anything else. Trump has already made clear that he wishes to punish his political opponents, and once he discovers the possibility of some power, he is seldom able to resist trying it. Today’s legal argument could very well be next year’s exercise of presidential power.
Very fucking interesting.
Should be pretty fucking loud and clear to every Drumf supporter out there who he is and what he wants to do to your god damn country.
Anyone who doesn’t get this at this point is willingly doing so and is an active threat to democracy and the American dream.
Smart people never crashed a country before, but selfish, hateful people and policies do.
Thing is, the already know, and not only do they not care, it’s what they like about him. They WANT him to do it.
Because they assume he'll only hurt "the right people" (meaning people on the left). The second it hurts them, they'll act shocked that the leopard that campaigned on eating everyone's faces would actually eat THEIR face!
always worth dropping this where it’s relevant
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came_...
They don't care and/or they're cheering this on. Most of his supporters are either on a holy crusade and see Trump as God's anointed or they see politics and this country as a game they must win at all costs. As long as he continues to hurt the right people, neither group will give a shit.
I have to have hope that there are some out there, and maybe even many, feel this way solely because they’ve been isolated with that group and are stockholmed.
I refuse to give up hope that anyone can at any point turn back. You can always turn back.