McConnell argues against presidential immunity for criminal prosecution
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he doesn’t think presidents should be immune from criminal prosecution for their actions in office, as the Supreme Court heard arguments on the issue related to former President Trump.
Asked in a Thursday interview on NBC News’s “Meet the Press” with Kristen Welker if he believes a president is above criminal prosecution, McConnell deferred to the Supreme Court.
“Obviously, I don’t think that, but it’s not up to me to make that decision,” he said. “The president clearly needs some kind of immunity or he’d be in court all the time.”
“So, we’ll just see how the Supreme Court deals with it,” McConnell continued.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court heard nearly three hours’ worth of arguments from Trump’s lawyers about why he should be immune from criminal prosecution in a case that alleges he plotted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Welker pressed McConnell on his 2021 comments and vote to acquit Trump after he was impeached by the House. At the time, he said Trump is liable for everything he did in office and hadn’t gotten “away with anything, yet.”
McConnell said he stands by his prior statements, but again, deferred to the decision the court will make in Trump’s case.
“We’re gonna find out, aren’t we? I mean, the Supreme Court is going to deal with that direct issue that I was referring to on Feb. 13, 2021. And I think we’ll find out sometime soon,” he said.
Justices on the high court voiced skepticism about assertions from Trump’s team that presidential immunity could extend to an attempted coup, even though they seemed ready to offer the commander in chief some protection from criminal prosecution.
The landmark case could create new legal battles and delay the ones Trump currently faces. A decision in the case is expected by the end of June, although special counsel Jack Smith has asked the court to work on a quicker timeline.
Date: |
Filter
-
Yellen argues that undercutting democracy threatens economic growth
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will argue in a Friday speech that democracy is under threat and that undercutting it will, in turn, threaten economic growth.MarketWatch - Business -
Idaho suspect's lawyer: Prosecution has "withheld" audio of key video
Bryan Kohberger's attorney Anne Taylor said that prosecutors have not provided the full video that shows his car near the residence where four University of Idaho students were killed.CBS News - Top stories -
The inhumane criminalization of homelessness won’t solve the problem
Homelessness is a housing issue, pure and simple.The Hill - Politics -
Stormy Daniels’ former lawyer testifies in Trump’s New York criminal trial
Keith Davidson, Stormy Daniels’ former lawyer, testified about arranging a $130,000 payment from Trump’s former lawyer and fixer Michel Cohen to the adult film star to stay quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.CBS News - Top stories - New York -
Developer of AI tool used in thousands of criminal cases accused of lying under oath
Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors from Colorado to New York have turned to a little-known artificial intelligence tool in recent years to help investigate, charge and convict suspects accused of murder and other serious crimes.NBC News - Top stories -
Hope Hicks takes stand in Trump's New York criminal trial
Former Trump campaign press secretary and White House communications director Hope Hicks has taken the stand in Donald Trump's New York criminal trial where he's accused of falsifying business records of payments to cover up alleged sex scandals. ...CBS News - Top stories - New York -
Hope Hicks tells hush-money jury of Trump’s control over 2016 campaign
Ex-president’s former communications director says Access Hollywood tape ‘was a crisis’ for his campaign. Hope Hicks, Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign press secretary, broke into tears on Friday while testifying in the ex-president’s New York criminal ...The Guardian - World - Donald Trump
More from The Hill
-
Burgum sidesteps question on political violence if Trump loses election
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) dodged a question Sunday on whether he is concerned about political violence if former President Trump loses the presidential election in November. Co-host Jake Tapper pressed Burgum on "State of the Union" ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump -
Here's who was with Trump at RNC's Spring Meeting at Mar-a-Lago
Former President Trump held a private lunch event at his Mar-a-Lago Club over the weekend that hosted many top GOP donors and high-profile party leaders. The fundraiser was largely seen as an audition for Trump's vice president within the GOP. The ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump -
Are cicadas dangerous to your pets?
Trillions of cicadas will soon emerge across many states — but what does that mean for pet owners?The Hill - Politics -
Tim Scott dodges on accepting 2024 election results, says Trump will be president
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) repeatedly dodged questions in a Sunday interview on whether he would commit to accepting the 2024 election results, no matter who wins, instead saying that former President Trump will win his campaign for the White House. ...The Hill - Politics - Donald Trump -
How using ‘high dominance’ rhetoric can help Biden beat Trump
Republicans play to win, while the Democrats play not to lose.The Hill - Politics - Joe Biden