Pivotal decision, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan declared that former President Donald Trump is not shielded from criminal charges tied to his actions during his presidency. The judge dismissed Trump’s attempt to dismiss a case alleging election subversion, stating, “The United States has only one chief executive at a time, and that position does not confer a lifelong ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ pass.”
Indicted in August on four counts related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Trump pleaded not guilty to charges, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. This case is among four criminal cases currently faced by the former president.
As reported by Newsweek on Friday, December 1, 2023, the defense argued for presidential immunity, asserting that Trump’s actions preceding the Capitol attack are protected.
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Judge Chutkan, however, emphasized that former presidents are not immune to federal criminal liability, stating, “Defendant may be subject to federal investigation, indictment, prosecution, conviction, and punishment for any criminal acts undertaken while in office.”
In response, Trump’s spokesperson Steven Cheung accused “Radical Democrats” of undermining constitutional principles, blaming President Biden for orchestrating such efforts. Cheung affirmed that Trump would challenge these decisions in higher courts, reiterating the former president’s commitment to fighting for America.
Simultaneously, a federal appeals court ruled on the same day that Trump can be sued in connection with the Capitol siege. Trump faces three lawsuits from Capitol police officers and members of Congress over the January 6 riot, claiming his unfounded election fraud claims and speech at the “Stop the Steal” rally contributed to inciting violence.
Trump’s legal team argued that presidential immunity shielded him from liability, contending his words addressed “matters of public concern.” However, a three-judge panel countered that Trump was acting “in his personal capacity as a presidential candidate” during the rally, rejecting the immunity claim.
Legal analyst and former Department of Justice official Harry Litman characterized Friday’s decisions as an “absolute tsunami” in terms of legal news. Litman described the overall legal outcome as a “disastrous legal day for Donald Trump,” marking a series of setbacks for the former president in multiple ongoing legal battles.
