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Donald Trump’s lawyers have asked the US Supreme Court to grant their client “absolute immunity” from criminal prosecution for acts carried out while serving as president as part of their bid to get the federal election interference case against him dismissed.
Ahead of oral arguments on the question being heard on 25 April, the Republican candidate’s lawyers argued: “The court should restore the tradition and neutralise one of the greatest threats to the president’s separate power, a bedrock of our republic, in our nation’s history.
“The court should uphold the president’s immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts.”
Meanwhile, Mr Trump was interviewed by Nigel Farage on GB News on Tuesday evening and modified his hostility to Nato, saying he would keep the US in the military alliance provided European countries “play fair” and “pay their fair share”.
The former president appeared to soften his rhetoric after causing alarm in February when he said at a rally that he would “encourage” Vladimir Putin’s Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” to countries that did not meet their financial obligations to the defence pact.
He also waded into the intrigue currently surrounding the British Royal family.
Judge rules Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen can testify in Trump’s hush money trial
On Monday, New York Judge Juan Merchan also rejected Mr Trump’s attempts to block testimony from Michael Cohen, his former attorney who allegedly supported a scheme to bury compromising details of Mr Trump’s affairs leading up to the 2016 presidential election.
Judge Merchan also rejected Mr Trump’s attempts to block testimony from former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who allegedly had an affair with Mr Trump before his presidency.
Oliver O’Connell20 March 2024 09:15
Full story: Trump appears to change his tone on Nato after uproar over Russia comments
Donald Trump appeared to change his tone on Nato after the uproar over his previous comments saying that he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to members who don’t pay their fair share.
Speaking to former Brexit leader Nigel Farage on GB News, Mr Trump said the US would “100 per cent” back Nato members who pay up.
But he also asked, “Why should we guard these countries that have a lot of money?”
“Now they’re paying because of those comments that you saw two or three weeks ago,” he told Mr Farage.
Gustaf Kilander watched the interview and filed this report:
Oliver O’Connell20 March 2024 08:15
New poll suggests Trump criminal conviction may seriously damage election hopes
Donald Trump‘s hopes for a second presidential term may be damaged if he is convicted in a criminal trial, according to a new poll.
A Politico/Ipsos poll found that while a criminal conviction would not put an end to Mr Trump’s electoral ambitions, it could damage his chances in his rematch against Joe Biden in November.
More than a third of independents who responded to the poll said that a criminal conviction would make them less likely to support the former president later this year, according to Politico.
Those sentiments undermine a generally held belief among political analysts that Mr Trump’s legal woes will hurt him with potential voters.
Graig Graziosi has the details:
Oliver O’Connell20 March 2024 06:15
Donald Trump claims Harry and Meghan ‘broke Queen Elizabeth’s heart’
Donald Trump has claimed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex “broke Queen Elizabeth’s heart”. The former US president reveals his thoughts on Prince Harry and Meghan in a GB News interview with Nigel Farage. In a preview of the interview, which airs in full at 7pm on Tuesday (19 March), Mr Trump says: “I would say, although she wouldn’t show it because she was strong and smart, but I would imagine they broke her heart. “The things that they were saying were so bad and so horrible, and she was in her nineties hearing this stuff. I think they broke her heart.” Mr Trump also describes the late Queen as “incredible” saying he is a “big fan” the concept of a royal family.
Oliver O’Connell20 March 2024 04:15
Trump hits back at ‘fake news media’ over ‘bloodbath’ comment coverage
Former president Donald Trump has accused the media of willfully misinterpreting his prediction during a rally appearance over the weekend that his defeat in November’s election would result in a “bloodbath”.
Speaking in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday evening as he stumped for Republican primary candidate Bernie Moreno, Mr Trump used the phrase as he warned of dire economic consequences for an American auto industry under pressure from China without him back in the White House.
“If I don’t get elected it’s going to be a bloodbath for the country,” he declared.
Joe Sommerlad has the story…
Oliver O’Connell20 March 2024 02:15
Prince Harry’s future in US questioned by Nigel Farage after Trump interview
Nigel Farage has suggested that Prince Harry’s future in the United States could be compromised after an interview with Donald Trump. The GB News presenter sat down with the presidential hopeful at Mar-a-Lago this week and teased discussion around the Duke of Sussex, Mr Trump’s “bloodbath” comments and his “definitive” answer on Nato. “I wouldn’t fancy Prince Harry’s future in America if he lied on his visa form,” Mr Farage said, sharing a clip on social media. Harry is currently embroiled in a legal battle over his US visa application after he admitted to past drug use in his highly controversial memoir Spare. The full interview airs on GB News at 7pm on Tuesday 19 March.
Oliver O’Connell20 March 2024 01:15
Outrage over Trump comments about Jewish people who vote Democrat
Mr Trump made the comments on the America First radio show hosted by his former White House aide Sebastian Gorka. The former president criticised Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, who recently suggested that Israel hold new elections as he criticised the leadership of Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Gustaf Kilander has the full story:
Oliver O’Connell20 March 2024 00:15
Watch: Trump sues ABC host over this Nancy Mace interview
Oliver O’Connell19 March 2024 23:15
Fraudster set to testify at GOP impeachment hearing sought pardon from Trump in 2020
A convicted felon and notorious fraudster interviewed by House investigators as part of the Republican-led impeachment probe into President Joe Biden sought a presidential pardon during the waning days of the Trump administration and refused to rule out asking for one if Mr Trump is returned to office.
The Republican witness, Jason Galanis, is scheduled to give evidence from a federal prison by remote video link on Wednesday when House Republicans convene a public hearing with several former business associates of Mr Biden’s son, Hunter Biden.
Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, DC:
Oliver O’Connell19 March 2024 22:45
Hutchinson joins Pence in refusal to endorse Trump
Former Republican presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson has firmly stated he will not endorse Donald Trump as the nominee for his party, saying Mr Trump has put his ego “above the common good”.
The former Arkansas governor said that the Republican nominee had redefined the party “in his image” and that meant traditional GOP values had been lost.
Oliver O’Connell19 March 2024 22:15
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