If inciting an insurrection towards their own government is an action without legal repercussions, I don’t see how the law would be less lenient about straight up firing a gun at an opponent.

I by no means want any party to resolve to violent tactics. So even though I play with the thought, I really don’t want anything like it to happen. I am just curious if it’s actually the case that a sitting president has now effectively a licence to kill.

What am I missing?

  • snooggums
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    5 months ago

    He can just pardon himself if he shoots Trump because he has immunity when issuing the pardon, since that is an official act.

    • fubo@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      Better do it in DC. Murder can be charged under state law, and the presidential pardon power only applies to federal charges.

      • snooggums
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        5 months ago

        If the president crossed state lines to commit the murder it is federal!

        • fubo@lemmy.world
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          5 months ago

          For that matter, immunity from criminal charges for attempting to pardon oneself is not the same as the pardon being valid.

      • daltotron@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        So, what happens if the president is charged? Is he automatically ousted? I mean, apparently a felon can run for president, so does them being a state criminal actually impede them at all, or no?

    • gramathy@lemmy.ml
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      5 months ago

      Not just an official act, it’s explicitly a constitutional power which is given absolute immunity.