A distinguished group of retired four-star generals and admirals from the U.S. military have argued in a brief filed in the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday that Donald Trump’s claims of absolute “presidential immunity” from criminal prosecution tied to Jan. 6 is an “assault” on the “foundational commitments” underpinning democracy and if his argument is allowed to succeed before them later this month, it threatens “to subvert the careful balance between the executive and legislative branches struck in the Constitution.”

The 38-page amicus brief features 19 authors, all of them decorated retired admirals, generals or secretaries from branches of the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force respectively. On April 25, the high court is poised to hear Trump’s question of immunity against prosecution for his alleged criminal conspiracy to subvert the results of the 2020 election. and according to the brief, these are arguments that should be approached with extreme caution.

  • AquaTofana@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    A group of retired Generals/Admirals are the ones who convinced Congress to repeal DADT back in 2011 so our LGBTQ+ brethren could openly serve.

    I understand that the entire Government has changed since then, and it’s an entirely different branch of the Government that they’re petitioning, but fuck, this gives me hope.

    These people do still have some sort of influence, and they’re attempting to use it for good. That makes me happy.

    • stoly@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      Most notable, though, is that they face no jeopardy for speaking out. None of them could do this while serving.

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        3 months ago

        This is true, to an extent. They can be much more vocal (publicly) than anyone currently serving, without fear of reprisal/loss of benefits.

        However, these retired O’s definitely have enough money that should they want to abandon ship and move their family elsewhere, they absolutely could. They don’t have to get involved anymore, so I like that they’re taking the time to do so. It shows that they still gaf.

      • AquaTofana@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        Or, lol, what’s really happening here, is that we’re all going “Oh yay, they’re using their influence for something good. That’s one more tool to fight the MAGAts with.”

        But I forgot, this is the internet and we should just be straight up pessimistic and ask “Why are they even bothering? Don’t they know it’s useless?!?!Silly Generals, Democracy is dead.”