• deaf_fish@lemm.ee
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      6 months ago

      Only in so much as the Supreme Court decides that it is “legal”.

      So the details are that the Supreme Court left it open to interpretation as to what could be considered an “Official Act”. If the Supreme Court decides your murder spree is an “Official Act” you are good to go.

      So if the Supreme Court Justices are conservative when Biden goes to trial, then yes, he can be found guilty.

      • TachyonTele@lemm.ee
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        6 months ago

        Assassination is a good thought experiment because of this. It is literally up to “someone” to decide if X act was official.

        And that someone will more than likely be the Supreme Court for a lot of things.

        As much as I hate the political drama, Biden really needs to do something completely ridiculous to show everyone that this ruling isn’t sustainable.

        He won’t though. And this shit will drag on and spiral with no checks.

      • Snowclone@lemmy.world
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        6 months ago

        I bet if you killed everyone on the court and in the legislature and replaced themb with your personal sycophants, they would probably agree it was an ‘official act’

        • chaogomu@lemmy.world
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          6 months ago

          That’s basically the entire republican plan. It’s all spelled out in Project 2025. Literally replacing the entire government with Trump loyalists, and military tribunals for anyone who cannot be directly fired and replaced. Trump has even said that Mitch McConnell is going to be tried in front of a military tribunal.

          As a note here, military tribunal means no due process, and no defense. Just straight to the guilty verdict and death penalty.

        • deaf_fish@lemm.ee
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          6 months ago

          Oh yeah, he could kill them all and then appoint a bunch of new very brave conservative justices.

          It’s highly unlikely, but it’s funny to think about.

    • grandkaiser@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      Would it be legal for Biden to assassinate them? Asking for a friend.

      I realize you’re likely being rhetorical, but in case you or any other users are actually curious, the fact of the matter is that criminal acts, including assassination, are not protected by presidential immunity. Here’s a breakdown:

      Official Acts are things the President does as part of their job, like signing laws, directing the military, and managing foreign policy.

      Criminal Acts are illegal activities, and they are not protected by presidential immunity. Assassination is definitely illegal and falls under this category.

      The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee due process of law, meaning that the government cannot deprive anyone of “life, liberty, or property” without fair legal procedures and protections. Additionally, Executive Order 12333, explicitly prohibit the U.S. government from engaging in assassination.

      In Nixon v. Fitzgerald (1982): The case granted the President immunity from civil damages for official acts, but clarified that this doesn’t apply to everything a President does. Unofficial acts, like crimes, are not protected.

      In Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952): The Supreme Court ruled that President Truman’s seizure of steel mills was unconstitutional. Even though it was for “official use” and it was for “the good of the country” it was nevertheless deemed not part of his presidential powers and therefore not covered.

      Presidential immunity protects certain official actions, but it doesn’t cover illegal activities. Assassination would be an unofficial act and is definitely prosecutable.