By John Q. Hosedrinker Donald Trump does not have presidential immunity, US court rules. This ruling comes as no surprise to me. As an American citizen, it is deeply unsettling to see extremists on the right pushing to treat Trump and his family like royalty. This goes against the very foundation of our country and its laws. The founding fathers explicitly designed our government to prevent the rise of a king or queen, which is why presidential immunity should never be a thing.
Some argue that granting immunity to a president is necessary for their proper functioning. But let’s dissect this argument for a moment. If presidents have full immunity, it means that they can break laws with impunity. That means Biden could potentially stay in power for life, disregarding any legal consequences for his actions. It undermines the checks and balances that exist to prevent abuse of power. The position is president, not emperor.
Moreover, the idea that without immunity, every future president who leaves office will be immediately indicted by the opposing party is misguided. There have been 45 presidents before Trump, and none of them faced such immediate indictments. It’s a flawed argument that aims to protect Trump and evade accountability.
Presidential immunity goes against the fundamental principle that no one is above the law. The Rule of Law exists for a reason – to ensure equal justice and hold individuals accountable for their actions. Granting immunity to a president would set a dangerous precedent and undermine the very bedrock of our nation. We established this country to escape the rule of kings and establish a government that upholds the principles of democracy.
The argument that impeachment serves as the sole avenue for holding a president accountable is also flawed. Impeachments are political, and as we saw in Trump’s case, many GOP senators acknowledged his wrongdoing but chose party over country. It is up to the courts to interpret and enforce the law impartially, free from political biases.
Now, Trump’s legal team argues that an ex-president cannot be subject to criminal proceedings if they were not convicted by the Senate after impeachment. This argument disregards the fact that impeachment is a political process, and many Republican senators who voted against convicting Trump still acknowledged his wrongdoing. It is the duty of the courts to decide on the legality of his actions.
I am relieved that the court has ruled that Trump does not have presidential immunity. This decision reaffirms the importance of upholding the principles of the Constitution and the Rule of Law. It sends a message that no one, regardless of their position, is above accountability.
However, we cannot let this victory be overshadowed by the potential delays and appeals that may come. Trump will undoubtedly take this case to the Supreme Court, and it is crucial for the courts to prioritize justice over granting unnecessary delays. Justice delayed is justice denied, and every day Trump appeals is another day justice is postponed. We must hold our judicial system accountable and ensure that justice is served swiftly.
As an American, I urge my fellow citizens to take this ruling seriously and recognize the importance of our upcoming elections. If we want to see Trump held accountable and prevent any potential repercussions of another Trump presidency, we must vote wisely and support candidates who prioritize justice, equality, and the rule of law.
The world is watching, and the decisions we make as a nation affect not only us but also the global community. Let us come together, get our priorities straight, and work towards a future where justice prevails and the principles of democracy are upheld. Our country was built on the idea that no one is above the law, and we must continue to strive towards that ideal.