Trump warns he could be open to blackmail if U.S. Supreme Court doesn't grant immunity
In a series of posts to his Truth Social platform on Monday, former President Donald Trump appeared to suggest that he'll be open to blackmail if the Supreme Court upholds lower court decisions that he does not have immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken as president.
Trump has argued the office of president means he can't face criminal prosecution.
It's an effort to try to block charges filed against him by special counsel Jack Smith in the federal election conspiracy case, related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential results culminating in the January 6 attack.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the arguments, with an April 22 date set for the hearing.
"Without Presidential Immunity, a President will not be able to properly function, or make decisions, in the best interest of the United States of America," Trump wrote. "Presidents will always be concerned, and even paralyzed, by the prospect of wrongful prosecution and retaliation, after they leave office.
"This could actually lead to extortion and blackmail of a President. The other side would say, 'If you don’t do something, just the way we want it, we are going to go after you when you leave office, or perhaps even sooner.' A President has to be free to determine what is right for our Country with no undue pressure."
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He went on, "Without Immunity, the Presidency, as we know it, will no longer exist. Many actions for the benefit of our Country will not be taken. This is in no way what the Founders had in mind. Legal Experts and Scholars have stated that the President must have Full Presidential Immunity.
"A President must be free to make proper decisions. His mind must be clear, and he must not be guided by fear of retribution!"
A federal appeals court in February explicitly rejected this logic, noting that there is ample precedent to suggest presidents can be prosecuted for illegal activity in office, and that overturning an election isn't an official duty that even theoretically could be given immunity in the first place.
The Supreme Court's agreement to review that decision potentially jeopardizes the calendar for taking Trump to trial before the 2024 election as it's on hold until the question is resolved.