Can A President Commit Crimes with Impunity? Americans Deserve a Prompt Decision from the Supreme Court
Washington, D.C. – The Supreme Court will hear oral argument this Thursday in Trump v. United States, on the question whether a former president is immune from prosecution for crimes committed while in office. Public Citizen filed an amicus brief in the case explaining that acts committed in an alleged effort to prevent the lawful winner of the 2020 presidential election from taking office cannot reasonably be claimed to fall within a president’s duties. Lisa Gilbert, executive vice president of Public Citizen, released the following statement.
“Can a president commit crimes with impunity? That is the key question before the Supreme Court. We believe the answer is a resounding ‘No’. In America, no one is above the law.
“This case can and should be decided expeditiously.
“The Special Counsel’s ability to proceed with its case against Donald Trump for attempts to subvert the 2020 election and stop the peaceful transfer of power depends on this decision.
“It’s already been almost four years. In this historic matter, justice can’t wait any longer.”