Staff Reports
In a groundbreaking decision, a federal appeals court has ruled that former President Donald Trump is not shielded from prosecution by the federal government. The ruling paves the way for Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case against the 45th president to proceed, pending an expected appeal to the Supreme Court. The court’s 57-page opinion firmly stated that Trump, now a private citizen, is not entitled to the broad immunity he once enjoyed as president. No longer can he hide behind the protective shield of executive immunity while facing the criminal case related to the 2020 presidential election.
BREAKING: Trump Campaign Responds to Federal Court Ruling on Immunity Claim https://t.co/aEpwUMAk8A
— J. Metz (@Metz1245John) February 6, 2024
It’s no surprise that this ruling was anticipated, both by those closely following the case and by the special counsel pursuing legal action against the former president. Smith had already sought to leapfrog the lower appeals courts and bring the matter directly to the Supreme Court, but his plan was thwarted, delaying the start of the J6 trial. The saga continues as the legal battle moves toward the highest court in the land, with the question of the 45th president’s immunity set to be addressed there next.
Unsurprisingly, in response to the court’s decision, a spokesperson for the Trump 2024 campaign, Steven Cheung, issued a stern warning. He argued that denying immunity to a president sets a perilous precedent, suggesting that future presidents leaving office could be immediately targeted for indictment by their political opponents. According to Cheung, this lack of complete immunity could cripple the function of the presidency itself. He further insisted that prosecuting a president for official acts violates the Constitution and poses a threat to the foundation of the Republic.
In the face of this setback, the Trump camp remains firm in its stance, vowing to appeal the decision in a bid to protect the presidency and the Constitution. The battle surrounding Trump’s immunity from prosecution is far from over, and its outcome will undoubtedly continue to reverberate through the political landscape.
This is a developing story, and there are sure to be further updates as the legal saga unfolds.
