# DC Court of Appeals rules against Trump Immunity, SCOTUS Makes a Different Decision **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [February 6, 2024, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188 "2024-02-06T15:22:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/181 "2024-02-07T20:15:52Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Nah. Area 51 is pretty secure. But when I mentioned this before, I also included a fenced in area where Biden’s grandkids can go watch the dancing bear-like Trump when they visit Grandpa at Camp David. Harder to do that in Area 51. Plus, if he’s living at Area 51, you just know that Qanon and the like would spin the narrative that the Area 51 aliens have declared him Emperor of the Solar System, and he’s secretly running everything from an underground alien bunker. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/182 "2024-02-07T20:24:06Z")
I know a great place in southern Colorado. Wide open expanse around it, attentive ~~servants~~ guards, and a great view of the Western Plains sky. It’s safe enough for Terry Nichols and Eric Rudolph, can’t imagine it wouldn’t be safe for Trump. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/183 "2024-02-07T20:26:12Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > can’t imagine it wouldn’t be safe for Trump. Not worried about his safety. Nevada has lots of open space for bombing ranges. Test to see just how close they can drop a dummy bomb. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/184 "2024-02-07T21:27:11Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Area 51 is pretty secure But we don’t want him. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/185 "2024-02-07T21:31:37Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > because all 50% of the population would here through their carefully curated and massaged sources would be **“Trump appealing terrible ruling from Deep State agents”** The numbers simply don’t support this. Maybe 30% will hear that, and be unwavering in their support of Trump no matter what . The other 20% are not so unwavering and _probably_ wouldn’t support Trump if he’s convicted of felony. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/186 "2024-02-07T21:36:55Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Trump is actively pursuing it for his Documents case as well. That was inevitable, though that’s even more dubious than claiming immunity while he _was_ president. But it’s another reason for Judge Cannon to delay the trial. At this point it’s very likely she’ll let him delay it until after the election. Still if he doesn’t get elected this year (which is the likely, though far from certain outcome IMO) that will be a most amusing diversion next year. That’s an open and shut case with serious prison time at the end of it for Trump. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/187 "2024-02-07T21:47:27Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > But we don’t want him. It would be kind of funny if he ‘escaped’ to Russia and they tried to hold him for some sort of ransom. “Donald who? Don’t know him” ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/188 "2024-02-07T22:01:12Z")
[The Ransom of Red Chief](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ransom_of_Red_Chief) > “The Ransom of Red Chief” is a short story by O. Henry first published in the July 6, 1907, issue of _The Saturday Evening Post_. It follows two men who kidnap and demand a ransom for a wealthy Alabamian’s son. Eventually, the men are driven crazy by the boy’s spoiled and hyperactive behavior, and they pay the boy’s father to take him back. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/189 "2024-02-07T22:01:43Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Back to the Immunity ruling, apparently in addition to the inevitable appeal, Trump is actively pursuing it for his Documents case as well. The documents case concerns crimes committed _after_ he left office. Is he claiming immunity for anything he does for the rest of his life? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/190 "2024-02-07T22:05:30Z")
Maybe he figures since he was the real winner in 2020 then he took the documents while still in office and therefore could not be prosecuted. More likely, he figures he’s immune to everything forever because up to this point in his life, he has never had to admit error or face the slightest consequence for any action. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/191 "2024-02-07T22:32:07Z")
I’d imagine he could be securely housed at any number of military bases. But I’m not the least concerned that he be incarcerated. The main - essentially SOLE - thing is that he NOT get a second term. Second concern is that he has SOME sort of verdict against him to dissuade similar actors in the future. But if he is relegated to house arrest at MAL w/ limited internet access, limited visitation, and no access to the press, that would be fine with me. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/192 "2024-02-07T22:35:08Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Still if he doesn’t get elected this year (which is the likely, though far from certain outcome IMO) that will be a most amusing diversion next year. That’s an open and shut case with serious prison time at the end of it for Trump. I look forward optimistically to 2025 when not president Trump faces his trials, and the only hurry is to get it done before he dies. (Which, bobot, do you prefer: Trump is convicted, or Trump dies? bobot: They both sound awesome.) ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2024, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/193 "2024-02-07T23:54:20Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I look forward optimistically to 2025 when not president Trump faces his trials, and the only hurry is to get it done before he dies. All good but it’s still a travesty of justice. Anyone else facing those charges would be staring at a long stay in a federal prison within the year, he is on tape commiting the crime FFS. The only reason it’s going to be delayed past the election (which will mean being delayed permanently if he wins) is because he appointed the judge hearing the case. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/194 "2024-02-08T00:16:15Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Not worried about his safety. Nevada has lots of open space for bombing ranges. Test to see just how close they can drop a dummy bomb. Joking aside, can a judge (or dept of corrections) decide to send a convicted felon to serve out their sentence at some random location that’s not a prison? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/195 "2024-02-08T00:19:33Z")
Moderating: Ok. I think we’ve wandered off topic for long enough. Further discussion re Trump’s prospective housing options post-trial and if convicted, should be held in another thread. Discussion re the Mar-A-Lago documents case has its own thread. Let’s please stay on topic regarding Trump’s immunity issues in this thread. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/196 "2024-02-08T02:08:24Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Maybe he figures since he was the real winner in 2020 then he took the documents while still in office and therefore could not be prosecuted. More likely, he figures he’s immune to everything forever because up to this point in his life, he has never had to admit error or face the slightest consequence for any action. I think the Trumpian logic is basically as follows: - Trump owned the documents the moment he looked at them. - If for whatever reason this did not automatically apply at the time, it applies retroactively because of the Presidential Records Act which says he can do whatever he wants. (It does not but…) - Also, he is immune from any and all criminal prosecutions for anything he has ever done, past, present or future because he (and he alone) is special. > [@bobot](#): > > (Which, bobot, do you prefer: Trump is convicted, or Trump dies? > bobot: They both sound awesome.) As happy as I would be with Trump having some inevitable health consequence that will remove him from the picture, I’d personally rather see him convicted. Otherwise he dies an “innocent” man which he assuredly is not. Also, as regards the question of immunity or any of the other questions of how a President can abuse power, these would just end up getting dropped and these loopholes would remain available for the next wannabe despot who can work a crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/197 "2024-02-08T12:00:25Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > As happy as I would be with Trump having some inevitable health consequence that will remove him from the picture, I’d personally rather see him convicted. Oh, yes!! My dream is to see him in an orange “DOC” suit. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2024, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/198 "2024-02-08T23:52:27Z")
Ideally he’s both convicted, and then very quickly thereafter dead of natural causes. The MAGAts may have their martyr, but they won’t have one they can rally around since he’s gone. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/199 "2024-02-09T01:01:30Z")
I mentioned this in another thread but more a prediction than question. Anyway, here goes: Is there some reason the USSC couldn’t agree to hear the case and then delay their ruling until after the election? If Biden wins, they rule against Trump. If Trump wins, they continue to delay until he is sworn in at which time he orders DOJ to drop the case. Wouldn’t that put an end to USSC case? What about if he gets convicted before the election but files an appeal. That likely wouldn’t be heard until after he is sworn in. At that point he gets DOJ to not respond to the appeal and he gets a summary judgement. The case is remanded and DOJ is ordered not to pursue it. Is there some actual, legal reason this couldn’t happen? I’m not talking about what is customary or ethical. Obviously, those words don’t exist in Trumpworld. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188/200 "2024-02-09T01:09:42Z")
I forgot to add pardoning himself (or trying to) if/when elected. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-court-of-appeals-rules-against-trump-immunity-scotus-makes-a-different-decision/997188.md?page=11)