'To call it a stretch is being charitable': Expert slams Trump's doomed immunity appeal
Donald Trump may get a win at the Supreme Court when it comes to state-based insurrectionist ballot bans, but one former prosecutor is "much more pessimistic for Trump" as to how things will turn out for him when it comes to presidential immunity from criminal charges.
Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti appeared on CNN Newsroom With Fredricka Whitfield, where he was asked about Trump's chances when it comes to beating state ballot bans at the Supreme Court. Mariotti said he thinks the conservative court will "find a way" to rule in favor of the former president.
But that's not necessarily the case in other areas, according to the legal expert. When it comes to immunity, he said he's "much more pessimistic for Trump as to how that's going to turn out for him."
"I don't see the Supreme Court deciding that because someone is president they're immune from really doing almost anything. He's suggesting that encouraging people to storm the Capitol is a presidential act, it's part of his presidential duties, and that's a -- to call it a stretch is being charitable to that argument."
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He continued:
"I don't really think that's an argument that the Supreme Court is going to take seriously, despite any inclination it may have to be favorable toward the president."
Regarding a timeline, the ex-prosecutor said that, within about 21 days, we should have an appeals court ruling on presidential immunity.
"Then the question is, how long does the Supreme Court take to decide that issue or decide whether to take it up," he said. "I wouldn't be surprised if the Supreme Court doesn't decide that issue, if they just decide not to take that case and let the Court of Appeals decision stand. That would be a loss for trump, but this way the Supreme Court doesn't have to wade into that issue itself."