As the Supreme Court considers whether to grant President Donald Trump immunity from prosecution for acts he committed while president, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) supports his view of absolute immunity for President Donald Trump. He said he was against it.
Mr. McConnell said: meet the press Host Kristen Welker appeared Thursday for a pre-recorded interview scheduled to air Sunday.
During the meeting, Welker said in February 2021, shortly after McConnell's “shameful” acquittal of Trump in an impeachment trial related to Jan. 6, the former president is not immune from criminal prosecution. I asked him if he supported his statement.
“As we sit here, Donald Trump's lawyers are arguing before the Supreme Court that the president has immunity from criminal prosecution for actions he committed while in office. Do you agree with that argument? ” she asked.
Mr. McConnell didn't seem to understand the question, instead responding by asking what the conservative-controlled high court would rule.
“We're going to find out, right? I mean, the Supreme Court is scheduled to take up the immediate issue that I mentioned on February 13, 2021, so I think we'll find out soon,” he responded. .
When Mr. Welker asked again whether he himself supported the far-reaching concept of presidential immunity, Mr. McConnell's answer was clear.
“Of course I don't think so,” McConnell said, referring again to the Supreme Court. “But it's not for me to make that decision. The president obviously needs some kind of immunity, otherwise he's always going to be in court. So how the Supreme Court deals with You'll see what happens.”
Welker then followed up three more times for clarification. Each time, for some reason, Mr. McConnell included in his response the fact that it was the Supreme Court, not him, that would make that decision.
“Let me be clear: you said former presidents are not immune from responsibility either. Do you stand by those comments? Welker asked.
“That's what I thought, but I didn't make that decision. The court –” McConnell said, prompting Welker to repeat the question.
“That's my view. But my view is just my view. So the court will decide,” McConnell said again.
Welker then asked again if he stood by his comments from three years ago. Mr. McConnell said he did so, but his qualifications were the same.
“I think so, but how many times do I have to say, I'm not a Supreme Court justice. I don't have the final say on that.”
Trump's criminal trial in Washington, D.C., for his role in the January 6 riot is on hold while the Supreme Court considers it. A decision could come as early as July.
