JD Vance contends that US presidents require immunity to effectively perform their duties, according to the Washington Examiner
Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) argued that U.S. presidents should have immunity to effectively perform their duties. The issue has gained prominence in light of a forthcoming Supreme Court decision potentially affecting former President Donald Trump, who faces numerous legal challenges. Vance asserts that such immunity is necessary, citing the roles of other power holders such as police officers, judges, and prosecutors, who benefit from certain immunities, and believes this principle should extend to the presidency to prevent obstruction of their functional capacities. Furthermore, Vance expressed concerns that prosecuting former presidents could damage the U.S. constitutional tradition, criticizing the idea of using judicial mechanisms against political adversaries which, he argues, could lead to the weaponization of justice.
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) contended that presidents of the United States need immunity if they wish to properly carry out their presidential duties.
Presidential immunity has become contentious ahead of an anticipated Supreme Court decision, which could throw former President Donald Trump a lifeline amid his numerous legal battles. When asked if he believed presidents ought to receive presidential immunity, Vance argued that other people in positions of power enjoy “some immunity” and that this should also apply to the role of president.
“We know that the president has to have immunity to do his job,” Vance told Face the Nation. “Should Barack Obama be prosecuted for droning American citizens in Yemen? There are so many examples of presidents, Democrats and Republicans, who would not be able to discharge their duties if the Supreme Court does not recognize some broad element of presidential discretion. I’m very confident that they’re going to be able to do that, and I’m very confident that the fundamental principle here is that the president has to be able to do his job. In the same way that police officers, judges, prosecutors enjoy some immunity, that principle has to apply to the president, too.”
Vance continued that U.S. presidents seeking to jail previous presidents would lead to the “unraveling” of the U.S. Constitutional tradition, and that nobody should be in support of such weaponization of justice.
The Ohio senator was also asked if he would be interested in pursuing criminal charges against President Joe Biden in a hypothetical Trump-Vance presidency. Vance contended that such a duty would be up to the attorney general. He also rebuffed people warning that Trump could weaponize the law against his opponents, claiming that Biden is already doing this against Trump.
Earlier this month, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) stated that Biden should “pray” that the Supreme Court decides in favor of presidential immunity, arguing that the current president could otherwise be prosecuted for his “reckless” handling of the southern border. Similarly, Eric Trump has cautioned that former Presidents Barack Obama and George Bush could be investigated if his father is not granted presidential immunity.
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Vance’s support for Trump’s argument on presidential immunity comes as he is rumored to be on Trump’s shortlist for potential vice presidential candidates. The Ohio senator has stated he would “certainly” be disappointed if he is not selected for the job.
Other rumored candidates for Trump’s vice president include Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).
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