From CNN Website – Fulton County Sheriff’s Office

Two rulings went against Donald Trump, on Friday. The first ruling, issued by the DC Court of Appeals, stated that Trump is not immune to civil lawsuits launched relating to his role in the January 6 insurrection. In his opinion, Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan wrote that the President,

 “…does not spend every minute of every day exercising official responsibilities. And when he acts outside the functions of his office, he does not continue to enjoy immunity. … When he acts in an unofficial, private capacity, he is subject to civil suits like any private citizen.”

The ruling related to three lawsuits, one filed by the Capitol Police and two filed by Members of Congress. One of the Plaintiff’s lawyers stated,

“This is the right result and an important step forward in holding former President Trump accountable for the insurrection on January 6.”

The second ruling, issued later in the day, was by Judge Chutkan, who is presiding over the election subversion case, in Washington. In her opinion, she wrote,

“The court cannot conclude that our Constitution cloaks former Presidents with absolute immunity for any federal crimes they committed while in office.”

Chutkan added,

“Whatever immunities a sitting President may enjoy, the United States has only one Chief Executive at a time, and that position does not confer a lifelong ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ pass. Former Presidents enjoy no special conditions on their federal criminal liability. Defendant may be subject to federal investigation, indictment, prosecution, conviction, and punishment for any criminal acts undertaken while in office.”

These two rulings, in the same, are big blows to Trump. It means that more avenues of escaping prosecution is being closed off to him. Before the rulings were issued, a lawyer, for Trump, in the Georgia fake electors case, moved to have that case delayed until after the 2024 elections on the grounds that if Trump wins he would be immune to prosecution. The above rulings appear to indicate otherwise.

The stakes have risen for Trump and the danger to American democracy also increases. Charlie Sykes, a political commentator, stated yesterday that with further avenues being closed to Trump and with the possibility of imprisonment getting closer., Trump will act more dangerously to avoid prison. He will do anything to stay out of prison. Furthermore, that ‘anything’, may have no boundaries.