Former President Donald Trump’s legal team has stirred the legal waters again, filing a last-minute appeal on Saturday to persuade the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to dismiss the criminal case tied to the January 6 insurrection. State Attorney Dave Aronberg of Palm Beach County labeled the move a ridiculous delay tactic, drawing criticism from legal experts.
Aronberg, in a candid conversation with MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart, expressed skepticism about Trump’s strategy, suggesting it’s a ploy to buy time. He knows he’s going to lose, and this is all about delay, Aronberg remarked, cautioning that telling the courts they have no power might not sit well with judges.
Trump’s 71-page filing claims presidential immunity, asserting that his actions were part of official responsibilities to ensure a fair election. Aronberg dismissed this, emphasizing, He is essentially saying that once you are acquitted, he will become a king — it’s a permanent get out of jail free card. That’s not how any of this works.
More Read
Aronberg raised a red flag about the potential repercussions, stating, If immunity like this applies to Trump, it would apply to Joe Biden, underscoring the dangerous precedent it could set, eroding the checks and balances in the legal system.
The State Attorney challenged Trump’s argument, pointing out that he’s not being charged for official acts but for alleged criminal acts. Legal analysts echo this concern, noting the attempt to broaden the definition of official acts, potentially shielding a president from legal consequences for a range of actions.
Aronberg’s prediction that courts may react unfavorably to Trump’s absolute immunity claim adds weight to concerns that such a move could undermine judicial authority. Judges, he contends, are unlikely to appreciate being told that their authority is null and void in certain circumstances.
