February 6, 2024

Trump Is Not Immune From Prosecution, Appeals Court Rules

The former president can be prosecuted for attempting to thwart the 2020 election.

Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty

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A federal appeals court on Tuesday rejected Donald Trump’s claims of absolute immunity, ruling that the former president is not exempt from prosecution over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

“For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant,” the court declared. “But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution.” 

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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