Trump's Immunity Claim Sparks Intense Debate

Former President's Lawyers Argue for Near-Absolute Presidential Power, Drawing Historical Comparisons and Warnings Against Complacency

Trump's lawyers argue that a president cannot face a criminal trial unless impeached by Congress, sparking debate over the scope of presidential immunity.
The argument implies a president could prevent impeachment by detaining members of Congress who might vote for it, drawing comparisons to historical power grabs.
The claim of immunity extends to potential crimes committed during a president's tenure, including ordering the assassination of a political opponent.
Trump's lawyers' argument has been met with skepticism from judges and criticism from lawmakers, with some warning against complacency in protecting democratic norms.
Trump himself has not rejected the idea of a president's power to order an assassination of a political rival, insisting that any president 'has to have immunity' or else they will be 'totally ineffective.'