Former President Trump can be prosecuted criminally for his actions in office – a US appeals court has ruled. Trump’s request for immunity was rejected. However, the question has probably not yet been finally answered.
Former US President Donald Trump can be prosecuted for his actions in office, according to an appeals court. With the decision, the court rejected Trump’s request. The court carefully weighed Trump’s asserted interests in immunity “against the important public interests that speak in favor of continuing this prosecution,” the appeals court said.
Serious legal defeat for Trump
Trump has suffered a serious legal defeat. But this was to be expected – at a hearing, the appeals court had already appeared skeptical and indicated that it would not follow the arguments of Trump’s lawyers.
It can be assumed that the Republican will appeal and the Supreme Court will get involved. It depends on his verdict whether the trial for attempted election fraud against Trump can be continued in the US capital. The judge responsible had postponed the start of the trial indefinitely until the immunity question was finally clarified on Friday.
Trump charged with attempted election fraud
The 77-year-old wants to move back into the White House for the Republicans after the 2024 presidential election and regularly describes the investigations against him as a “political witch hunt.” Trump is indicted in the US capital Washington in connection with attempted election fraud. His lawyers want the charges to be dropped, citing Trump’s immunity in his office at the time as president.
Trump supporters stormed the parliament building in Washington on January 6, 2021. Congress met there to formally confirm Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election. Trump had previously incited his supporters during a speech. As a result of the riots, five people died.
A question of national importance
Regardless of the appeals court’s ruling, the question of whether the office of president protects against criminal prosecution is likely to end up before the Supreme Court. After all, it is of national importance. On the one hand, this means that the charge against Trump for attempted election fraud stands or falls. It is also crucial for the election campaign whether Trump is right or not.
So far everything points to a new edition of the race between him and incumbent Biden. Last but not least, the decision on protection from criminal prosecution has immense importance for future presidents. If they really enjoy immunity, they could commit crimes in office without having to fear consequences.
Isabell Karras, ARD Washington, tagesschau, February 6, 2024 5:20 p.m