During Thursday’s Supreme Court session, Trump’s lawyer, John Sauer, argued for absolute immunity for his client’s actions, including the potential ordering of a political rival’s assassination. Justice Sonia Sotomayor probed into whether such immunity would cover politically motivated killings.
Sotomayor asked if a president could order an assassination under the guise of an official act. Sauer responded that it would depend on the hypothetical scenario, suggesting it could be considered an official act.
Donald Trump (Credits: Britannica)
This stance echoes Sauer’s earlier assertion during Trump’s immunity hearing before the D.C. Court of Appeals. He argued that a president could order an assassination and still be immune from prosecution unless impeached and convicted by Congress.
Sotomayor expressed deep concern over this position, questioning the reasonableness of allowing a president to engage in actions like ordering assassinations or accepting bribes for personal gain.
Donald Trump (Credits: AP News)
Meanwhile, Trump, facing charges related to the theft of classified documents and the incitement of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, is banking on a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court’s conservative majority.
He hopes such a ruling would, at the very least, delay his trials. Additionally, if he were to win reelection in November, Trump could potentially dismiss prosecutors or pardon himself, effectively eliminating the cases against him indefinitely.
