United States: The US ex-President’s , Mr. Donald Trump, attempt to use “presidential immunity” to deny allegations of election meddling has been rejected by a federal judge.
According to Mr. Trump’s attorneys, he was within his presidential duties to reject the 2020 results.
However, Judge Tanya Chutkan did not find any legal justification for the conclusion that presidents are immune from criminal prosecution after leaving office. It is alleged that Mr. Trump attempted illegally to void his election loss.
“Whatever immunities a sitting president may enjoy, the United States has only one chief executive at a time. That position does not confer a lifelong ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ pass,” Judge Chutkan wrote.
The president “did not bestow upon him the divine right of kings to evade the criminal accountability that governs his fellow citizens,” the Judge added.
This is the first time a US court has confirmed that presidents are subject to the same criminal laws as regular citizens. Mr. Trump is the first current or former US president to face criminal charges, as per the statement.
In connection with his alleged attempts to avenge his loss in the 2020 presidential election, Mr. Trump is being charged with four felonies, one of which is a conspiracy to defraud the US.
Mr. Trump has pleaded not guilty. Special Counsel Jack Smith is bringing the case to Washington, DC, and it is expected to start in March next year, right in the middle of his presidential campaign.
One of many recent legal setbacks for the former president in the case, it is unclear if Mr. Trump’s legal team will file an appeal against the most recent decision.
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