Former President Donald Trump suggested early Monday that President Biden could face charges in the future if Trump’s claims of presidential immunity in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot are unsuccessful.
“If I don’t get immunity, then corrupt Joe Biden doesn’t get immunity, and just with the border invasion and the surrender of Afghanistan, not to mention the millions of dollars that went into his ‘pockets’ with money from foreign countries, Joe would be ready to be impeached,” Trump wrote in Truth Social.
“By weaponizing the Department of Justice against his political opponent, ME, Joe has opened a giant Pandora’s box.”
Since last year, the 45th president has promised to apply “retribution” to his political enemies if he wins a second non-consecutive term in the White House.
President Biden has bristled at scrutiny of his family’s overseas business ventures. AFP via Getty Images
Last August, Trump, 77, pledged to appoint a special prosecutor to evaluate the Biden family’s business dealings and “look at all of these bribes, kickbacks, crimes, as well as the blatant attempted cover-up.”
“Justice will be done,” the 45th president promised at the time.
Trump similarly declared during his 2016 presidential campaign that he would use a “special prosecutor” to examine Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.
Forget 2024 rivals, Donald Trump suggested he and President Biden could become impeachment partners. AFP via Getty Images
That appointment, however, never occurred.
On Monday, Trump also confirmed that he will attend Tuesday’s hearing before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, where his lawyers will present oral arguments in defense of presidential immunity claims.
“Of course, as president of the United States and commander in chief, he was entitled to immunity,” Trump insisted. “I was looking for voter fraud and finding it, which is my obligation to do.”
Trump’s legal team is seeking to dismiss the four-count federal indictment in connection with his attempts to remain in office following his 2020 election loss, claiming he was carrying out his official duties at the time.
Jack Smith is prosecuting Donald Trump on two fronts: his 2020 election machinations and his alleged hoarding of classified documents. AP
His lawyers also argue that since he was acquitted after his second impeachment trial for alleged incitement of insurrection, prosecuting him during the 2020 election amounts to double jeopardy.
If Trump’s lawyers are successful, it could have dramatic effects on other cases against him, notably a 13-count election tampering allegation in Georgia.
Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office has denounced the concept of presidential immunity, arguing it would give future presidents carte blanche to break the law.
“The defendant’s broad claim of immunity threatens to authorize presidents to commit crimes to remain in office. The Founders did not intend and would never have tolerated such an outcome,” prosecutors wrote in a filing late last year.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing Trump’s 2020 election case, previously sided with Smith’s team, arguing that the 77-year-old doesn’t get a “lifetime get-out-of-jail-free pass.”
That prompted the appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals by Trump’s team.
Chutkan also halted “any further proceedings that could move this case toward trial,” with some exceptions, pending the appeal.
President Biden gave a spirited speech last Friday warning of the threats Donald Trump poses to democracy. SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Last week, Trump’s team tried to have prosecutors held in contempt for filing filings despite that pause, but the special counsel’s office responded that it was complying with Chutkan’s order.
Smith unsuccessfully petitioned last month for the Supreme Court to overrule the D.C. appeals court and expedite consideration of the immunity issue, but the high court refused.
Trump will currently be tried in the 2020 election case starting March 4, and prosecutors have expressed an intention to stick to that schedule.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn