Many people believe Donald Trump incited an insurrection on January 6, 2021. He has been trying to avoid responsibility for his actions by saying that he has “presidential immunity.” However, DC Courts have determined that he, nor any other former President, is immune to being held legally accountable. This comes right before the 2024 election, in which Donald Trump is the highest likely Republican candidate. America has never had a president with a high likelihood of election run for office while in prison.
Pouty President
Donald Trump is a controversial figure who says and does controversial things. Saying inflammatory things in order to be President is one thing, however, inciting a” neo Nazi” insurrection is another. The reason he did this is because he wanted to halt the process of Joe Biden becoming President. Essentially, he refused to give up power by suggesting that the election results were fraudulent.
However, no matter how many times they set up recounts of the 2020 election the results remained the same. Donald Trump lost that election, and he couldn’t just rely on electoral votes like he did in 2016. So instead of manipulating the system so he could stay president, he and his followers attempted to destroy the democratic frameworks that gave him power in the first place. Only now, is the American political process finally beginning to hold him accountable. He was impeached twice, but that didn’t mean much.
Democratic Backstabbing
The judges themselves had a lot to say about their decision. They argue that if former presidents had such “presidential immunity,” it would throw off the balance of the separation of powers.
“Former President Trump’s alleged efforts to remain in power despite losing the 2020 election were, if proven, an unprecedented assault on the structure of our government,” they wrote. A strongly worded section of the document said, “Former President Trump’s stance would collapse our system of separated powers by placing the president beyond the reach of all three branches.”
“We cannot accept that the office of the presidency places its former occupants above the law for all time thereafter,” the three judges – two Democratic appointees and one Republican appointee – wrote,” according to BBC.
Life Long Power
Having lifelong presidential immunity for any crime one commits after being the president is too much power and too much privilege. The President is supposed to serve this nation to the best of their ability and step down when it is time to step down.
Not only did Donald Trump do neither of those two things, he is suggesting that anything he does can never be considered illegal because he was once the President.
Legal Justice
Finally, Donald Trump may be finally getting what is coming to him. He may end up running as a person in jail as Eugene V Debs did in the early 20th century. However, this convict status may ruin his chance with his “tough on crime” Republican MAGA base.
Typically, republicans have an intense hatred for criminals, regardless of the context of their crimes. So, it is entirely possible when the general public learns that Donald Trump, a 77-year-old former President, is officially in prison for his crimes, he may lose some political clout.
Unfortunately, Donald Trump is worth around $500 million to $5 billion, depending on who one asks. So this means that his prison time may look like a life of luxury to those on the outside. He won’t be treated like the migrants at the southern border who were forced into concentration camps during his presidency.
Ultimately, America allows for a lot of general tomfoolery, however, it seems not even rich, white, old, male, straight, multi-millionaire, former presidents, have enough privilege to overturn American democracy.
Written by Kenneth Mazerat
Sources
BBC: Donald Trump does not have presidential immunity, US court rules By Sam Cabral
NBCNews: Trump is not immune in 2020 election interference case, appeals court rules By , and
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
