In a significant legal blow to former President Donald Trump, a federal appeals court has rejected his claim of immunity from criminal prosecution in a case related to his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The decision by a three-judge panel at the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit represents a clear rejection of Trump's argument that actions taken while he was president shield him from criminal charges.

 

The panel's unanimous opinion emphasized the importance of not allowing a former president to evade accountability for potential criminal conduct by exploiting the powers of the executive office. Rejecting Trump's assertion that he could only be prosecuted after a Senate impeachment trial, the court stated, "We cannot accept former President Trump’s claim that a President has unbounded authority to commit crimes that would neutralize the most fundamental check on executive power."

 

The ruling sets a deadline of February 12 for Trump to indicate whether he intends to appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court. Should he choose to appeal, the case would remain on hold until the Supreme Court issues a final verdict.

 

The case, brought by special counsel Jack Smith, alleges that Trump sought to overturn his election defeat by promoting fake electors and obstructing Congress on January 6, 2021. Trump's initial motion to dismiss the case was rejected by a trial judge, leading to the appeal to the DC Circuit.

 

Trump's legal strategy has been focused on delaying the trial proceedings, with the aim of potentially having the charges dropped by a future attorney general if he were to win the 2024 presidential election. However, the appeals court's decision represents a setback to this strategy, as it paves the way for the case to move forward without further delay.

 

Despite the expected defeat in the appeals court, Trump's legal team has remained steadfast in their efforts to shield him from prosecution. However, the ruling underscores the principle that no individual, regardless of their former position of power, is above the law. As the legal battle continues, the case could have far-reaching implications for the boundaries of executive authority and accountability in the United States.

 

07.02.24

Source

 

He will appeal this to SCOTUS and pray his stacking of the deck whole he was president vindicates him....if that occurs it will be a sad day for democracy.  Looks like a long few months ahead of us....

A good day for democracy and the rule of law.

 

Not such a good day for a would be dictator.

 

Let the fluffing commence and get the ketchup cleanup team to Mar-a-Largo.

 

 

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

He will appeal this to SCOTUS and pray his stacking of the deck whole he was president vindicates him....if that occurs it will be a sad day for democracy.  Looks like a long few months ahead of us....

I don't think he prays.

 

Going along with his arguments would even for this SC be a step too far. 

Judge Tanya Chutkan reaches for diary.

Well colour me shocked. A US court verdict going against Trump. Never saw that coming. 

 

Meanwhile, no charges for Biden in the classified documents case.

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/no-charges-for-biden-over-handling-of-classified-documents-washington-post

 

The US in freefall to banana republic status under the Democrats.

 

 

3 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

He will appeal this to SCOTUS and pray his stacking of the deck whole he was president vindicates him....if that occurs it will be a sad day for democracy.  Looks like a long few months ahead of us....

I’m sure he will,I have a feeling the Supreme Court would rather not rule on this,they have enough problems with credibility im thinking they let it stand.i also hope they rule asap this bilko artist has been doing this delay tactic far to long lock him up!

29 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Well colour me shocked. A US court verdict going against Trump. Never saw that coming. 

 

Meanwhile, no charges for Biden in the classified documents case.

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/no-charges-for-biden-over-handling-of-classified-documents-washington-post

 

The US in freefall to banana republic status under the Democrats.

 

 

If this were a banana republic your boy would have been shot when his coup attempt failed you are witnessing the wheels of justice turning wish they would shift gears and speed it up!

47 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Well colour me shocked. A US court verdict going against Trump. Never saw that coming. 

 

Meanwhile, no charges for Biden in the classified documents case.

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/no-charges-for-biden-over-handling-of-classified-documents-washington-post

 

The US in freefall to banana republic status under the Democrats.

 

 

 

A good day for justice. Time to lock Trump up. Media already speculating that he will be locked up in Pensacola Prison as it is close a Mar-a-Lago. 

The supreme court won't touch this.

4 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

The supreme court won't touch this.

 I have the same sentiment. DC Circuit is generally considered to be second only to the SC and tend to be the main federal appellate court for issues regarding adminstrative and constitution law.  CJ John Robert, Clarence Thomas, Brett K and Ketanji were from the DC Circuit Court. 

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Well colour me shocked. A US court verdict going against Trump. Never saw that coming. 

 

Meanwhile, no charges for Biden in the classified documents case.

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/no-charges-for-biden-over-handling-of-classified-documents-washington-post

 

The US in freefall to banana republic status under the Democrats.

 

 

More misinformed nonsense.

 

In case you missed it, Trump’s legal team argued that a President has the right to order the killing of his political opponents.

 

That there is the stuff of real Banana Republics.

 

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Well colour me shocked. A US court verdict going against Trump. Never saw that coming. 

 

Meanwhile, no charges for Biden in the classified documents case.

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/no-charges-for-biden-over-handling-of-classified-documents-washington-post

 

The US in freefall to banana republic status under the Democrats.

 

 

 

Or, and this could be a possibility too, Biden complied when he was informed that he had classified documents, handed them over and allowed the DOJ to inspect his premises and ensure there wasn't anything missing. Also the documents are pretty important here - what were the clearance levels and security levels for Biden's versus Trump's documents? This is why you have laws and Departments of Justice. Remember, the Republicans were completely in charge of the DOJ for four years and couldn't find anything to pin on any of their opponents. Why is that? Could it be that they follow the law?

 

The Republican Party used to be a party supporting Rule of Law and a bulwark against communism and the post-communist gangster-cronyism of the Russians. Now they're co-opted by Putin and putting a bunch of criminals up for office while being unable to govern (again) despite a majority in the House. Pretty pathetic the depths to which the GOP has sunk. What a shame it will be when they're destroyed in the coming election after staking their platform on Donnie Diapers and abortion bans.

2 hours ago, Tug said:

I’m sure he will,I have a feeling the Supreme Court would rather not rule on this,they have enough problems with credibility im thinking they let it stand.i also hope they rule asap this bilko artist has been doing this delay tactic far to long lock him up!

I suspect that you are right on this one Tug.

Trump used the ruling immediately to beg his cult to send more money. The kids inheritance be damned. Send money to our cult leader.

So much losing.

 

 

Wow! Has trump been trumped? 

  I just hope the supreme court quickly gives their consent to have this former Pres

get his jail time started.

 

Trump not wanting jail time has only one choice as I see it. October surprise, he drops out and supports Haley. She beats Biden. She stops all federal charges against Trump. Leaving Trump to plead guilty in Georgia for a plea deal.

Trump's hidden plan.

30 minutes ago, earlinclaifornia said:

 

Trump not wanting jail time has only one choice as I see it. October surprise, he drops out and supports Haley. She beats Biden. She stops all federal charges against Trump. Leaving Trump to plead guilty in Georgia for a plea deal.

Trump's hidden plan.

Trump is innocent 

 

his best chance is a court that is not biased politically although that looks slim seeing as the US system is filled to the brim with lib judges 

4 minutes ago, EastBayRay said:

Trump is innocent 

 

his best chance is a court that is not biased politically although that looks slim seeing as the US system is filled to the brim with lib judges 

Evidence be damned!  He's innocent!

 

Or, if you prefer, we can use a variation of the Chico Marx joke:  Who you gonna believe, the evidence or me?

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

Rejecting Trump's assertion that he could only be prosecuted after a Senate impeachment trial, the court stated, "We cannot accept former President Trump’s claim that a President has unbounded authority to commit crimes that would neutralize the most fundamental check on executive power."

No, no, you misunderstood: Only Trump may commit crimes with impunity while President. Any other President, well they just are not special enough to qualify.

A frivolous claim by a frivolous and desperate fool. He knows he's toast and knows he's swirling down the commode. Delay tactics is all he has and all he's ever had...but that 💩 ain't gonna flush much longer. Works against common folks, but not against the US Government.

4 hours ago, ozimoron said:

The supreme court won't touch this.

Agree.  We'll find out pretty quick.  If SCOTUS refuses to hear it and affirms the appellate court's ruling, this trial can easily get done before the Nov election.  Any innocent defendant would want his case resolved as soon as possible to clear his name.  Which is why Trump wants to keep delaying. 

 

Trump continues to believe he could do whatever he wanted with impunity while in office, and yet millions of people want him back in the White House. What a sad and dangerous place the USA has become. 

1 hour ago, stargrazer9889 said:

I just hope the supreme court quickly gives their consent to have this former Pres

get his jail time started.

 

That wouldn't stop him being President. It's just that visiting overseas dignitaries such his friends in Russia and North Korea would have to eat prison food in the jail canteen instead of scoffing themselves at a White House banquet..

2 hours ago, neeray said:

I suspect that you are right on this one Tug.

Trump used the ruling immediately to beg his cult to send more money. The kids inheritance be damned. Send money to our cult leader.

The guy who claims to be a Billionaire 

The USA 'justice' system is making America look like a third world banana republic. Sad.

4 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

The USA 'justice' system is making America look like a third world banana republic. Sad.

 

You're parroting Trump, lol.

 

Former President Trump declared after being indicted in New York that "THE USA IS NOW A THIRD WORLD NATION," a statement echoed by his sons and many of his supporters.

 

The big picture: In reality, leaders who left office since 2000 have been jailed or prosecuted in at least 78 countries — including in democracies like France, Israel and South Korea.

 

https://www.axios.com/2022/08/26/countries-where-former-leaders-jailed-charged

I will be interested in learning more from the PBS Newshour/Marris Poll coming out today in the USA. The Appeals Court has firmly rejected Donald Trump’s claim of immunity in the charges brought against him by a citizen based Federal Grand Jury. The Poll reflects the current political divide. Better than 65% of Independent and Democrat Americans asked, say that Donald Trump should not have immunity from prosecution. Of Republicans asked, 68% say Donald Trump should be immune from prosecution. It is on such a basis that some, including myself, fear that there is a real possibility currently that far too many Americans are willing to move toward authoritarian rule … that any President should be immune from the law in any action while President?!

10 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

The USA 'justice' system is making America look like a third world banana republic. Sad.

It’s doing the polar opposite.

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