Trump Pushes for Immunity from Jan. 6 Lawsuits

Image copyright: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images [via CNN]

The Spin


Democratic narrative

Though there is some legal precedent to lend Trump immunity for his vitriolic rhetoric in the lead-up to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, the former president is on shaky ground. There is plainly no constitutional or legislative authority for an incumbent president to encourage the violent disruption of a congressional proceeding — especially one constitutionally mandated for the democratic transfer of power. The court should make sure that Trump is not given immunity.


Pro-Trump narrative

Regardless of what the former president said, Trump should be granted the same immunity his predecessors enjoyed. Indicting a former president would almost certainly lead to more division in an already polarized country — not to mention the fact that it would set a dangerous precedent regarding the degree to which politicians are responsible for the acts of their supporters.


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