Former US President Donald Trump sharply criticized the decision of the US judiciary to deny him absolute immunity for facts during his presidential term, condemning the “destructive decision for the country”, AFP and News.ro reported.

“If not overturned, as it should be, this decision will seriously affect not only the presidency, but the life, breath and success of our country,” he wrote on his Truth Social social network, which he owns.

Donald Trump confirmed his intention to challenge the ruling by a federal appeals court on Tuesday, which reopens the door to a trial in which special counsel Jack Smith accuses him of trying to illegally overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. election.

3 judges of the Court of Appeal motivated their unanimous decision by the fact that:

“Ultimately, former President Trump’s position will collapse our separation of powers system and make the president untouchable by the three powers” in the state. “We cannot agree with the fact that the presidential office forever places its persons above the law,” the federal court emphasized.

Thus, the court upheld a first-instance decision handed down in December by Judge Tanya Chutkan in a trial in which Trump is accused of trying to overturn the results of the election.

3 federal judges ruled in favor of their lower court colleague, stating in their reasoning that “for purposes of this criminal case, former President Trump has become a Trump citizen with all the protections of any other defendant.”

“Any executive immunity that might have protected him when he was president no longer protects him from this prosecution,” the justices said.

Trump can still seek immunity from prosecution at the US Supreme Court

This decision will enter into force on February 12, unless there is an appeal to the Supreme Court. All proceedings in this case have been stayed pending a decision by the federal appeals court.

Trump’s lawyers have argued that former presidents are entitled to broad legal protections and cannot be held accountable for official acts unless they are first impeached by the House of Representatives and removed from office by the Senate.

The former Republican president repeatedly expressed his desire for immunity, saying in all caps in a Jan. 18 post:

“ALL PRESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE FULL AND COMPLETE PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY, OTHERWISE THE AUTHORITY AND DECISIONS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WILL BE TAKEN AND DECLINED FOREVER.”

The indictment, drawn up by special counsel Jack Smith, accuses Trump of using false claims of election fraud to pressure state lawmakers, Justice Department officials and then-Vice President Mike Pence to block the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.