A Supreme Court justice was quick to express her complete disagreement with the US highest court's decision to grant partial immunity to Donald Trump in his trial on charges of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
• Read also: Donald Trump enjoys partial immunity as a former president for his actions in the White House.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by former Democratic President Barack Obama in 2009, did not mince her words against Monday's ruling.
“Let the president break the law, exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, and use his official authority for nefarious purposes. Because if he knows that he may one day be held accountable for violating the law, he may not be as bold and courageous as we would like him to be.”
According to her, “the damage is done,” even if she hopes none of the scenarios she fears will happen.
“The relationship between the president and the people he serves has been irreparably altered. In every exercise of his official authority, the president is now a monarch above the law,” Justice Sotomayor said.
“Order Navy SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immunity. Organize a military coup to stay in power? Immunity. Accept a bribe in exchange for amnesty? Immunity,” she explained. “Immunity, immunity, immunity.”
