CNN anchor raises Nixon pardon in questioning Trump immunity defense

CNN anchor Jim Acosta raised former President Ford’s pardon of his predecessor, former President Nixon, in questioning former President Trump’s assertion of getting complete immunity from prosecution for his conduct in workplace on Sunday. 

Acosta requested his visitor, former White Home ethics head Norm Eisen, concerning the reasoning for a pardon if presidents couldn’t be criminally prosecuted for his or her actions in workplace. 

“If presidents have absolute immunity, I suppose, why did Ford ever pardon Nixon? How is it they’ll simply argue they’ve absolute immunity?” Acosta requested. 

Eisen mentioned Trump’s argument is an “astonishing proposition.” If the argument have been accepted, the implications can be in depth and permit presidents to commit a variety of crimes whereas in workplace, he mentioned. 

“If presidents had absolute immunity, Jim, presidential elections would turn into a stampede for the criminally minded to allow them to get to the Oval Workplace,” Eisen mentioned. “It’s not simply election overturned. The place would it not cease? They may do financial institution robberies, kidnappings, murders. That’s inimical to American legislation.” 

Trump has requested the District of Columbia Circuit Court docket of Appeals dismiss the federal election interference case towards him, arguing he ought to have complete immunity for actions he took whereas in workplace. Federal Decide Tanya Chutkan has already rejected this argument, however Trump has appealed. 

The previous president is dealing with 4 felony counts associated to his efforts to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 presidential election, together with conspiracy to defraud the US and obstruction of and trying to impede an official continuing. 

He has pleaded not responsible to all costs but in addition argued that he must be immune from prosecution as a result of the acts talked about within the indictment have been taken whereas he was president. 

Particular counsel Jack Smith requested that the Supreme Court docket step in to rule on Trump’s immunity argument to maintain the case on monitor to start in March, however the courtroom declined to take it up for now. 

Eisen mentioned “no trace” of any absolute immunity exists anyplace within the Structure, historical past or courtroom precedent. He mentioned Nixon would have refused to resign if Trump’s argument was appropriate, as a result of he would have wished to attempt to use his absolute immunity to guard himself. 

Ford pardoned Nixon within the aftermath of the Watergate scandal and Nixon’s resignation for any crimes he could have dedicated whereas in workplace. 

Eisen mentioned Trump’s argument is “not about profitable” however moderately “working out the clock” on the legal circumstances towards him forward of the 2024 presidential election in November.