America looks forward with increasing hopefulness to Jan. 20, 2021, when Joe Biden will take the oath of office and become the 46th President. Donald Trump, however, will have to face the loss of not only his job but the most important perks that came with the prestigious position he’s held for the last four years.
According to NBC News, Trump has faced many investigations involving his campaign, business, and personal behavior since he took the oath of office himself four years ago and has remained miraculously unscathed. But as soon as he becomes a private citizen, he will be stripped of the legal armor that has protected him from a plethora of pending cases, both civil and criminal courts.
As a private citizen, he will no longer be able to argue in court that his position as the nation’s chief executive makes him immune to prosecution or protects him from turning over documents and other evidence. He will also lose the backing of the Department of Justice in making those arguments.
Trump could face litigation in several cases including, a case brought against him involving pornstar Stormy Daniels, a defamation suit brought against him by a former “Apprentice” contestant, and another case brought forth by the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James which is investigating four different Trump Organization real estate projects and the failed attempt to purchase the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.
Trump will also finally have to face the many women accusing him of inappropriate sexual behavior in alleged incidents that date as far back as the 1970s. Trump has used the Department of Justice as his attorney to prevent submitting evidence in this case.
The Justice Department moved the case from state to federal court and filed a motion to act as Trump’s defense attorney, saying that his denial of rape allegations was a presidential act. Once he becomes a private citizen, he will be compelled to provide evidence in the case-which means his testimony and, potentially, a DNA sample will have to be submitted.
Legal experts warn that Trump may attempt to pardon himself before leaving office, but it’s unlikely such an action would survive a challenge in court.
President Nixon already tried something like that four days before his infamous resignation in 1974. But the Justice Department said at the time, “under the fundamental rule that no one may be a judge in his own case, the President cannot pardon himself.”
Discover more from Baller Alert
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
