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Trump Lawyer Argues He Could Legally Order Assassination Of Political Rival (www.huffpost.com)

submitted 6 months ago by Emperor@feddit.uk to c/nottheonion@lemmy.world

44 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Former President Donald Trump’s attorney on Thursday argued that a president could order the assassination of his political rival and stage a military coup without being prosecuted for it.

Jack Sauer, Trump’s lawyer, made the “absolute immunity” argument in a Supreme Court hearing in the Department of Justice election interference case against the former president. Trump’s team has repeatedly claimed that the ex-president can’t be prosecuted for “official acts” he did while in office.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked Sauer, “If the president decides that his rival is a corrupt person and he orders the military to assassinate him, is that within his official acts to which he has immunity?”

“That could well be an official act,” Sauer responded.

Sotomayor seemed taken aback at that line of reasoning.

...

“How about if the president orders the military to stage a coup?” Kagan asked.

“I think it would depend on the circumstances,” Sauer said.

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[–] Sterile_Technique@lemmy.world 49 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Huh. Well here's a though: as Biden's last act as president, he should just go ahead and order the assassination of Trump. It'll rid us of Trump, and force the matter into the SCOTUS who will then need to establish precedent case law stating specifically that US presidents aren't allowed to have political rivals assassinated... cuz apparently that's necessary. >_<

[–] SlopppyEngineer@lemmy.world 30 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Why not just "retire" certain members of SCOTUS first. These people should be very afraid when the new president gets into office with these rules.

[–] Cocodapuf@lemmy.world 14 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Actually I suppose that would be pretty easy...

To justices that think it's ok for presidents to order the assassination of rivals, Biden can say:

"You should retire. If you do not retire, I have the power to get rid of you permanently. Your choice. "

[–] Plopp@lemmy.world 13 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Ah, playing the fascist game against actual fascists. I wonder who will win that game. Hint: it's not the non fascists.

[–] HawlSera@lemm.ee 4 points 6 months ago

Well clearly this "They go low, we go high" shit isn't fucking working

[–] Triasha@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

You can't fold after you are all in. Gotta play the hand.