Donald Trump claims immunity from NY hush money criminal charges, but legal experts doubtful

Donald Trump claims immunity from NY hush money criminal charges, but legal experts doubtful.

In a latest legal maneuver, former President Donald Trump has asserted immunity from potential criminal charges regarding hush money payments in New York State. Trump's legal team argues that as a former president, he enjoys absolute immunity from state-level prosecutions. However, legal experts are skeptical about the validity of this claim, citing precedent and constitutional principles.

The hush money payments in question were made to silence two women who alleged having affairs with Trump prior to his presidency. These payments, which amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars, have been under scrutiny by state prosecutors in New York for potential violations of state laws, including campaign finance regulations and fraud.

Trump's legal team has argued that as a former president, he is immune from prosecution in state courts for actions taken while in office. They base this assertion on the belief that the U.S. Constitution grants sitting presidents immunity from criminal prosecution to avoid interference with their duties. However, legal experts note that this immunity is not absolute and does not extend to actions taken before or after the president's time in office.

Moreover, the Supreme Court ruled in 1997, in the case of Clinton v. Jones, that sitting presidents are not immune from civil lawsuits for actions unrelated to their official duties. This ruling established the precedent that the president is subject to the same laws as any other citizen, even while in office.

Legal scholars argue that this precedent would likely extend to criminal prosecutions as well, meaning that Trump's claim of immunity is unlikely to hold up in court. They emphasize that no one, including a former president, is above the law and that allowing immunity for actions taken prior to or after holding office would set a dangerous precedent.

State prosecutors in New York have not commented on Trump's immunity claim, but they continue to pursue their investigation into the hush money payments. They have already secured cooperation from several individuals involved in the payments, and there is speculation that indictments could be forthcoming.

In the meantime, Trump's legal battles are expected to continue as he faces numerous other legal challenges, including investigations into his business practices and tax affairs. The outcome of these cases could have significant implications for Trump's political future and his standing within the Republican Party.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the question of presidential immunity is likely to remain a contentious issue, with implications reaching far beyond the current case involving hush money payments. In the eyes of many legal experts, Trump's claim of immunity appears to be a last-ditch effort to avoid accountability for his actions, but whether it will succeed remains to be seen.