(NationalUSNews.com) — On Tuesday, February 6, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that former President Trump does not have broad immunity from federal prosecution. Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson, J. Michelle Childs, and Florence Pan rejected the former president’s claims to immunity in a 57-page unanimous portfolio. While there was much to say on the issue, it could be summarized with their statement that former occupants of the office of presidency cannot place former occupants of that position above the law for all time afterwards.
The former president has answered the judgment with promises to appeal, and he has until Monday, February 12, to request that the Supreme Court temporarily block the ruling in order to prevent his case from going to trial immediately. While it remains uncertain how long the Supreme Court would need to deliberate on such a decision, an early March trial date has already been postponed at this time.
The decision went over the case of election results interference at length and opined that former President Trump had conducted an assault on the structure of the American government. They also flatly rejected Trump’s assertion that without immunity, the holders of the presidential office would be hesitant to act for fear that any actions or decisions they may make could be legal liabilities in the future, causing a “chilling” effect on the office. The concern would be that, as has historically occurred in other countries, whenever a different party takes office, they will prosecute the former president and his or her entire administration.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung made a public announcement after the ruling that former President Trump respectfully disagrees with the ruling and will be appealing it. Cheung added that without complete immunity, no president of the U.S. would be able to function properly. New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik suggested that the ruling violates the U.S. Constitution and sets a dangerous precedent. It is increasingly apparent that heading into the 2024 election, the Republican presidential frontrunner will be surrounded on all sides by controversy and a variety of legal complications.
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