Trump Lawyer Says Killing A Political Competitor May Qualify As A “Official Act” For A President

(PatriotPostNews.com) – As the Supreme Court began hearing arguments in the highly anticipated presidential immunity case this week, Donald Trump’s lawyer suggested that taking out a political opponent could qualify as an “official act” of the presidency.

On Thursday April 25, oral arguments began in the case set to determine if Trump qualifies for presidential immunity in a criminal prosecution related to the January 6, 2021, riots at the Capitol. At the center of the case—currently paused while the Supreme Court determines if Trump has immunity—is Special Counsel Jack Smith’s allegations that the former president engaged in election interference by instigating the controversial incident.

The immunity claim is being heard by the court’s nine justices, six of whom are conservative and three of whom were appointed by Trump. The opening arguments ran for nearly three hours and included concerns from conservative justices that restricting the president could reach too far and liberals wondering the negative outcome of freeing the president from accountability via prosecution.

John Sauer, the attorney representing Trump, said that a presidential order to “assassinate” a “corrupt person” who happens to be his political rival “could well be an official act” protected under presidential immunity from criminal prosecution. He made the argument—which he had brought up previously—after Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked if this scenario would be included in immunity rights.

The justice then questioned if the situation would remain the same should the president order an assassination for “personal gain.” In response, Sauer said that the commander-in-chief “is entitled” to utilize the “trappings” of his position for “total personal gain” and “without facing criminal liability.”

The lawyer also argued that, if Trump is prosecuted for his “controversial decisions” at the end of his term, it would open the door for former presidents such as Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and even sitting President Joe Biden to be prosecuted for their actions as well.

Sotomayor, however, said she had a “hard time” accepting Sauer’s argument, saying that engaging in bribery, forgery, and assassination does not seem “reasonable” behavior for “any public official.”