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:
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.
Hmm sounds a lot like how folks get unalived in Russia.
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.
Even if you're a partisan hack that just wants to give Trump a copout for all his indictments and free reign for Trump to do what he wants if he wins the election, you have to see how stupid it is to make that call BEFORE he wins the election while his opponent is currently in office. Their ruling in his favor would be carte blanche for Biden to do whatever the fuck he wants to Trump, so long as 34 senators would refuse to convict him for it. Or even to the Justices themselves. Up to and including assassination, apparently. They would really be banking on the fact that Democrats would tend to act in good faith while Republicans are free to abuse their power. But that is a big gamble.
Biden adds 9 more liberals to the court and appoints Barry as Chief Justice. OH, IT'S ILLEGAL? Bzzt, not anymore
It's "free rein", just FYI.
Correct. Free rein to reign freely. Fucking English. Lol
Feels like, in this specific context where he wants to act as an unrestrained dictator, it's both
Problem is Biden won't do shit nor the Democrats and Supreme Court know it.
Trump's hack is done speaking now. I gotta say, I think he did the best he could with an ultra-shitty argument, but he was unable to disguise the fact that it was ultra-shitty. The Justices absolutely destroyed him.
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.
Hmm sounds a lot like how folks get unalived in Russia.
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.
Even if you're a partisan hack that just wants to give Trump a copout for all his indictments and free reign for Trump to do what he wants if he wins the election, you have to see how stupid it is to make that call BEFORE he wins the election while his opponent is currently in office. Their ruling in his favor would be carte blanche for Biden to do whatever the fuck he wants to Trump, so long as 34 senators would refuse to convict him for it. Or even to the Justices themselves. Up to and including assassination, apparently. They would really be banking on the fact that Democrats would tend to act in good faith while Republicans are free to abuse their power. But that is a big gamble.
Biden adds 9 more liberals to the court and appoints Barry as Chief Justice. OH, IT'S ILLEGAL? Bzzt, not anymore
It's "free rein", just FYI.
Correct. Free rein to reign freely. Fucking English. Lol
Feels like, in this specific context where he wants to act as an unrestrained dictator, it's both
Problem is Biden won't do shit nor the Democrats and Supreme Court know it.
Trump's hack is done speaking now. I gotta say, I think he did the best he could with an ultra-shitty argument, but he was unable to disguise the fact that it was ultra-shitty. The Justices absolutely destroyed him.