Judge Smacks Down Trump Administration’s Claim That They’re Above The Law – The Ring of Fire Network – The Ring of Fire Network
Former White House counsel Don McGahn has to comply with subpoenas from the House of Representatives, a federal judge has ruled. The judge smacked down the Trump administrations argument that they had absolute immunity, and in the ruling proclaimed that Presidents are not kings. Ring of Fires Farron Cousins explains what this decision means and what will be the next move for the White House.
Transcript:
*This transcript was generated by a third-party transcription software company, so please excuse any typos.When the second half of the Robert Mueller report came out, uh, there was a lot of information in there that said that at the time, the white house counselor Don McGahn had carried out a lot of orders that Donald Trump asked him to do, that McGann felt were either inappropriate or quite possibly illegal. And after finding that out from the Mueller report, Democrats in the house of representatives issued a subpoena for McGahn to come and testify to them and explain what exactly he meant by carrying out orders by the president that he felt were illegal. Donald Trump, of course, blocked McGann from going to testify. They said, Nope, we have immunity. Were not going to let Don McGahn or anyone else from the white house, current or former go and testify in front of you. That was seven months ago that this happened. Well, yesterday, finally, a federal judge issued a ruling on this case and said, guess what, Donald Trump, you are not a King. That was in the ruling, by the way. And yes, Don McGahn, you can in fact go and testify. You still have all your legal rights when you testify, you know, were, were not taking away your rights, you know, to claim the fifth amendment, your freedom of speech, none of that. You still have all the legal rights a normal person would have, but you cannot ignore a subpoena. There is no such thing as blanket immunity and youre going to go testify. I want to read this little snippet here from the actual ruling itself because its so damning against Donald Trump stated simply the primary takeaway from the past 250 years of recorded American history is that presidents are not Kings. This means that they do not have subjects bound by loyalty or blood whose destiny theyre entitled to control rather in this land of Liberty. It is indisputable that current and former employees of the white house work for the people of the United States and that they take an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States. Moreover, as citizens of the United States current and former senior level, presidential aides have constitutional rights including the right to free speech and they retain these rights even after they have transitioned back into private life. Meaning youve got your constitutional rights buddy, even though youre no longer the white house counsel, but you cant be prohibited from going and testifying in front of Congress. And again, this is related to what was said in the Muller report. So this is kind of old news. The hearing is not, or the ruling, excuse me, is not because it just came down yesterday, but this could have very serious ramifications for the current hearings happening in the house of representatives because Donald Trump has made same claim about the people. He is prohibited from testifying before Congress that he did back in the Mueller days. And that is, weve got blanket immunity. You cant call my people to testify. Theyve been prohibiting people inside the white house from going in, speaking about the Ukraine scandal, just like they did about the Mueller report. And this judge says, Nope, not going to fly. That cant happen. So of course the Trump administration is absolutely going to appeal this, but with any luck judges further down the line, possibly even the Supreme court may end up agreeing with this federal judge. Because after all, as weve sta said, if you give the white house blanket immunity, you also run the risk of giving the next democratic president because eventually well have another one. They would also enjoy that same immunity, and thats when its going to come back to bite those Republicans. So theyre not willing to take the chance right now to say that the white house is in fact above the law because they know eventually theyre not going to control the white house anymore.
- Actions of federal government are upending the due process of the Fifth Amendment [letter] - LancasterOnline - August 24th, 2025 [August 24th, 2025]
- WATCH: Second Biden official invokes the Fifth Amendment during House deposition - InsideNoVa.com - August 1st, 2025 [August 1st, 2025]
- Biden officials are hiding behind Fifth Amendment to avoid incrimination, congressman says - MSN - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Another Biden aide invokes Fifth Amendment in deposition before House panel - Rural Radio Network - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Third Biden aide invokes Fifth Amendment in House probe of former president's cognitive decline - alphanews.org - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Bernal invokes Fifth Amendment, refuses to testify in Biden's mental health in probe - KOKH - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Bernal invokes Fifth Amendment, refuses to testify in Biden's mental health in probe - WPEC - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Another Biden aide invokes Fifth Amendment in deposition before House panel - Good Morning America - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- House Republicans face mounting resistance as third ex-Biden WH aide pleads Fifth Amendment - AOL.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- House Republicans face mounting resistance as third ex-Biden WH aide pleads Fifth Amendment - Fox News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Biden aides look to Fifth Amendment as autopen probe widens - The Washington Post - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- WATCH: Second Biden official invokes the Fifth Amendment during House deposition - The Center Square - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Trumps FBI Director Grilled on What He Thinks Fifth Amendment Says - MSN - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Annie Tomasini Invoked Her Fifth Amendment Right in Response to Questions - themercury.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Annie Tomasini Invoked Her Fifth Amendment Right in Response to Questions - Purdue Exponent - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Bernal invokes Fifth Amendment, refuses to testify in Biden's mental health in probe - WPDE - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Biden doctor Kevin OConnor invokes Fifth Amendment when asked if he lied about ex-prezs health - MSN - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Third Biden witness invokes Fifth Amendment during House deposition - Iosco County News Herald - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- FNF: Anthony Bernal Invoked His Fifth Amendment Right in Response to Questions - WV News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Another Biden aide invokes Fifth Amendment in deposition before House panel - MSN - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- FNF: Anthony Bernal Invoked His Fifth Amendment Right in Response to Questions - Purdue Exponent - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Bernal invokes Fifth Amendment, refuses to testify in Biden's mental health in probe - KFOX - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Bernal invokes Fifth Amendment, refuses to testify in Biden's mental health in probe - WOAI - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Fmr. Jill Biden aide pleads the fifth amendment - LiveNOW from FOX - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Second Biden official invokes the Fifth Amendment during House deposition - Read Lion - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- FNF: Anthony Bernal Invoked His Fifth Amendment Right in Response to Questions - Citizen Tribune - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trumps history with the Fifth Amendment still isnt doing his allies any favors - MSNBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Requiring man to unlock phone with fingerprint violated Fifth Amendment, court says - Oswego County News Now - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Former White House Physician Pleads the Fifth Amendment at House Hearing - The Presidential Prayer Team - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Maddow Blog | Trumps history with the Fifth Amendment still isnt doing his allies any favors - Yahoo News - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Broadcaster and commentator Josh Bernstein criticises a former White House doctor who treated former US President Joe Biden, after the doctor invoked... - July 12th, 2025 [July 12th, 2025]
- Alert: Biden's former doctor refuses to answer questions in House testimony, citing patient privilege and the Fifth Amendment - Connecticut Post - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Biden's former doctor refuses to answer questions in House testimony, citing patient privilege and the Fifth Amendment - Yahoo - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trumps FBI Director Grilled on What He Thinks Fifth Amendment Says - The New Republic - May 11th, 2025 [May 11th, 2025]
- 'Turtleboy' blogger invokes Fifth Amendment in connection with Karen Read case - WCVB - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Woman accused of performing illegal abortions invokes Fifth Amendment right, posts bond - KHOU.com - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Are Your BYOD Policies Fifth Amendment-Ready? The Growing Tension Between Biometrics & Individual Rights - Corporate Compliance Insights - March 13th, 2025 [March 13th, 2025]
- Patel Invoked the Fifth Amendment in a Case Tied to Trump - The New York Times - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Trump says he took the Fifth Amendment in NY investigation - Central Oregon Daily - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Travis Kelce avoids answering the most compromising question about Taylor Swift and pleads the fifth amendment - Marca English - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Do presidential pardons remove the Fifth Amendment rights of recipients? - National Constitution Center - January 26th, 2025 [January 26th, 2025]
- Biden preemptively pardons Fauci, creating Fifth Amendment trouble for him - MSN - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Biden preemptively pardons Fauci, creating Fifth Amendment trouble for him - Washington Examiner - January 22nd, 2025 [January 22nd, 2025]
- Ex-IU doctor Brad Bomba Sr. invoked Fifth Amendment 45 times in deposition over alleged abuse - Yahoo! Voices - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- President Muizzu ratifies the fifth amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act - The Edition - December 18th, 2024 [December 18th, 2024]
- Doctor accused of abusing Indiana University athletes repeatedly invokes Fifth Amendment in deposition - NBC News - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- Ex-IU doctor Brad Bomba Sr. invoked Fifth Amendment 45 times in deposition over alleged abuse - The Herald-Times - December 16th, 2024 [December 16th, 2024]
- The Constitution: The Twenty-Fifth Amendment - Houston Public Media - November 28th, 2024 [November 28th, 2024]
- Karen Read accused of weaponizing Fifth Amendment by seeking to delay civil trial - CBS Boston - October 31st, 2024 [October 31st, 2024]
- Mother and grandmother of Willacy County murder victim invoke Fifth Amendment during trial - KRGV - August 20th, 2024 [August 20th, 2024]
- This Is What the Twenty-fifth Amendment Was Designed For - The New Yorker - July 4th, 2024 [July 4th, 2024]
- Young Thug trial: State witness held in contempt, taken into custody - The Atlanta Journal Constitution - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- That's Not How Pleading The Fifth Works - Above the Law - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- Why was Lil Woody arrested? Rapper invokes Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination to avoid testifying in Young ... - Sportskeeda - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- New Ad Taunts Trump: 'Take the Stand, Donald, or Admit You're a Coward' - The New York Times - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- How Democrats In Arizona Are Damaging The Fifth Amendment - The Daily Wire - May 1st, 2024 [May 1st, 2024]
- Social Media Platforms Have Property Rights Too - Reason - April 16th, 2024 [April 16th, 2024]
- Utah high court rules suspects don't have to provide police with phone passcodes - The Record from Recorded Future News - December 21st, 2023 [December 21st, 2023]
- Utah Supreme Court says accused don't have to share cellphone passwords with police - Salt Lake Tribune - December 21st, 2023 [December 21st, 2023]
- High court must uphold constitutional taking clause to protect ... - The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting - November 9th, 2023 [November 9th, 2023]
- Jump Crypto chief pled Fifth over alleged backroom Do Kwon deal - Protos - November 9th, 2023 [November 9th, 2023]
- Donald Trump civil trial in Manhattan: Maybe he's not trying to win ... - Slate - November 9th, 2023 [November 9th, 2023]
- Commission weighs whether to discipline Illinois judge who ... - St. Louis Post-Dispatch - November 9th, 2023 [November 9th, 2023]
- Smith Sentenced To Probation In Break-In At Sheriff's Residence - wkdzradio.com - November 9th, 2023 [November 9th, 2023]
- SCOTUS accepts 43 cases this term; 20 scheduled for argument so ... - Ballotpedia News - November 9th, 2023 [November 9th, 2023]
- Movie Review - Anatomy of a Fall | The-m-report | wboc.com - WBOC TV 16 - November 9th, 2023 [November 9th, 2023]
- Another Result Before It Happens: The Trump Civil Case In New York - Above the Law - November 9th, 2023 [November 9th, 2023]
- The inherent American rights involved during and after an arrest - FOX 29 - June 15th, 2023 [June 15th, 2023]
- She was killed walking home. Two men are now on trial for her ... - CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR - June 15th, 2023 [June 15th, 2023]
- Are Abortion Bans Takings? - Reason - June 15th, 2023 [June 15th, 2023]
- Ex-San Francisco Official Offers Alibi for One of Series of Bear-Spray ... - The San Francisco Standard - June 15th, 2023 [June 15th, 2023]
- Road project threatens preserved farmland | News | dailycourier.com - Front Page - June 15th, 2023 [June 15th, 2023]
- Teacher, accused of seven felonies, pleads his case to Grand Island ... - Grand Island Independent - June 15th, 2023 [June 15th, 2023]
- "That is a crime of cinema": After Saving Vin Diesel's Career With an ... - FandomWire - June 15th, 2023 [June 15th, 2023]
- There Is No 'Moving On' From Corruption, by Laura Hollis - Creators Syndicate - June 15th, 2023 [June 15th, 2023]
- Left-wing Democrats Running Roughshod Over Constitutional ... - The New York Sun - June 15th, 2023 [June 15th, 2023]
- Tether SEC Action? USDT Selling Floods Liquidity Pools in Wake of ... - CCN.com - June 15th, 2023 [June 15th, 2023]
- Essential Education: Professor, attorney discuss importance of ... - LA Downtown News Online - June 4th, 2023 [June 4th, 2023]
- Inside The Murder Of Kristin Smart And How Her Killer Was Caught - All That's Interesting - June 4th, 2023 [June 4th, 2023]
- Louisiana's Sabine River Authority Not Entitled To Sovereign Immunity - The Energy Law Blog - May 27th, 2023 [May 27th, 2023]