After the Supreme Court agreed to revisit the immunity case of former President Trump, an MSNBC host suggested on Thursday that this decision might open the door for Trump to potentially assume dictatorial powers.
The Supreme Court has opted to reexamine whether former President Trump is shielded from prosecution in the Special Counsel’s federal election interference case. This legal dispute in an election year holds significant implications both legally and politically. The appeal process has been expedited, with oral arguments set for late April and a verdict anticipated by late June. Trump’s criminal trial is currently suspended pending the resolution of this legal matter.
The MSNBC hosts expressed their dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s ruling and gathered to discuss the matter on Wednesday’s episode of “All In with Chris Hayes.” Host Chris Hayes voiced his frustration at not foreseeing this outcome earlier.
Rachel Maddow painted a bleak picture of the future of American democracy if Trump were to secure re-election but then feel compelled to retain power indefinitely to shield himself from prosecution.
During a subsequent conversation, Maddow envisioned a scenario where the court would ultimately decide that presidents do not have perpetual legal immunity for their actions during their tenure. She suggested that this could potentially lead to a situation where a hypothetical President Trump could solidify his position as a dictator for life.
Maddow argued, “The idea that they would rule in his favor on immunity is unimaginable and ultimately insignificant.” She remarked, “Based on their actions even prior to the ruling, the deduction we can draw now is that they are ensuring Trump evades trial. When they inevitably affirm that presidents can face prosecution after leaving office, the implicit message to Donald Trump, should he still be in power at that time, is that he should never relinquish the presidency.”
The hosts on MSNBC expressed their dismay at the Supreme Court’s handling of one of Trump’s legal disputes.
Maddow further speculated, “If he loses in 2028, he will refuse to step down and will have free rein to commit any offenses as long as he remains in office, in an attempt to circumvent the election results and prolong his rule indefinitely to avoid potential post-presidential imprisonment. This is the trajectory we are on unless the nation votes Trump out, elects Biden, and rejects Trump in November.”
Maddow, a prominent MSNBC political commentator, previously stated that it would mark the “end of politics” if Trump were to secure another term. Trump aims to become only the second president in history to reclaim the presidency after losing a re-election bid, following the example of Grover Cleveland.
Contributors to this report include Brooke Singman, Bradford Betz, Shannon Bream, and Bill Mears from Fox News.
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