As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear oral argument April 25 in the matter, Attorney General Todd Rokita is strongly advocating that presidential immunity be given to former President Donald Trump to protect him from partisan political prosecutions pertaining to conduct involving official actions he took as president.
“As president, Donald Trump built a strong economy, secured the border and brought America back to greatness,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Ever since he left office, his political enemies have schemed ways to keep him from ever becoming president again. Our mission is to make sure the American people, rather than these corrupt elitists, keep the power to choose the American president.”
A Special Counsel appointed by US Attorney General Merrick Garland waited until nearly three years after the events of January 6, 2021 — the day that protesters stormed the US Capitol — to indict President Trump for his actions on that day.
Now, though, the Special Counsel is rushing to bring the case to trial before the 2024 election.
In an 18-state amicus brief led by Alabama and including Indiana, the attorneys general have asked the Supreme Court to prevent partisan-driven criminal prosecutions for official acts to intrude on the constitutional structure and function of the presidency.
Besides the D.C.-based case leveled against him over the January 6 protest, former President Trump also has faced political prosecutions in other cases originating in Georgia, Florida, and New York.
“The Left has made an art form out of weaponizing our judicial institutions against their political adversaries,” Attorney General Rokita said. “No matter which side does it, that kind of manipulation is wrong and dangerous to our republic. The Supreme Court has an opportunity to help right the ship.”
Such a course correction involves affirming that presidents and former presidents enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct involving their official acts during their tenures in office. At every stage, President Trump has argued that he is entitled to presidential immunity for any actions that he took on January 6, 2021.
Earlier this year, Attorney General Rokita co-led another effort to protect President Trump’s ability to become president again by defending his right to appear on the Colorado ballot over a state court’s objection. In a 9-0 decision, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled state courts could not keep President Trump off state ballots — embracing the central argument put forward in two amicus briefs led by Indiana and West Virginia. One of those briefs was signed by 27 states; the other by 25.
