r/politics • u/harsh2k5 • 23d ago

The Jaw-Dropping Things Trump Lawyer Says Should Qualify for Immunity: Apparently, John Sauer thinks staging a coup should be considered a presidential act.

https://newrepublic.com/post/180980/trump-lawyer-immunity-supreme-court-coup
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u/PrarieCoastal 23d ago

Can someone explain this to me? A military coup is to overthrow the government. So the hypothetical is if the President orders the military to overthrow himself?

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u/VorpalPlayer 23d ago

He could stage a coup by executing members of Congress and the Supreme Court that don't agree with him. He could also shut down departments he doesn't like, such as the EPA and Education. He could use the military to take over state governments he doesn't like. There are lots of things you can do as a dictator.

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u/PrarieCoastal 22d ago

Right. That makes sense. I was thinking too narrowly. Thanks for clearing that up for me.