Mastodawn

James Gleick Mar 31, 2023

This is actually false, New York Times. Ex-presidents have never been “shielded from indictment.” There is no “taboo.”

Ex-presidents have always been subject to prosecution for their crimes. Vice-presidents, state governors, and congressmen have all been indicted and even imprisoned.

Only one thing is new here: an incorrigible career criminal became president.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/us/politics/trump-indictment-democracy.html?unlocked_article_code=TyR2nPdw64cv07eIzC7yxLxDsARzmm2yCdealUwCCBXjQXEk9N6LqJdynlb717HiF6GCa5s2uiT-rPRL7d_xOeF2yimTCLIrkbzWU_Ch5jcDouarKvN0pihm00fyECbfNHXdPtbHNZqJr7rTIYay2zA6sboZSX6oPIhTxPSwnRwAIQC-ydjPHj45n2lyaAPEvz7ZzT1FBR8ZWUvvFGmJgxOc2n_P-6EHTZfmgKUDb9aPZ6bU1k3rBDXLGBGShbODt2TrWJzMk0hQa9XU-do6Xaq5uix5NVPZTVq35oiJ5Bxgw_xEgPbCdO1kx07LY6yDoRZwB6QkWadseQ5a2Rn49nBbAbA&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Trump Indictment, a First for a U.S. President, Tests Democracy

For more than two centuries, American presidents were effectively shielded from indictment. But the case against former President Donald J. Trump breaks that taboo and sets a new precedent.

The New York Times

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Max Kennerly Mar 31, 2023

@JamesGleick It's exhausting to see so many ahistorical, anti-legal takes arguing for putting politicians above the law.

While sitting as Vice President, Aaron Burr was indicted for murder by both New York and New Jersey.

Two years after leaving office, he was federally indicted for treason.

The Framers had ample opportunity to create all-purpose legal immunity for politicians. They declined.

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Richard

@maxkennerly @JamesGleick I never hear anyone citing Spiro Agnew in all of this. He definitely got a sweetheart deal and preferential treatment, but his case is pretty similar to Trump's in that criminal corruption continued into his term of office. Though in Agnew's case, the money was moving into his pocket, not out...