John Dean: Under Judge Kavananaugh if potus shot somebody on 5th Ave-He could not be prosecuted...

[kpete]

Ex-Nixon White House Counsel John Dean: "Under Judge Kavanaugh's recommendation, if a president shot somebody in cold blood on Fifth Avenue, that president could not be prosecuted while in office." (via
ABC)

Link to tweet

[unblock]

1. the impeachment clause also applies to justices, and other federal officers. question --

is a justice also immune from prosecution as long as he's in office?

even given that a justice has life tenure?

so a justice could commit all kinds of crimes as long as just over 1/3 of the senate is willing to keep him from getting removed?


or is there something mysterious about this prosecutorial immunity in the impeachment clause that makes it apply only to the president, even though there's nothing of the sort mentioned in the constitution?

[W_HAMILTON]

3. Good point.

[drmeow]

4. I almost just posted this question

as an OP.

Lower court judges have been charged and tried in criminal court and then impeached on the basis of the criminal charges by the Senate. Not sure about SCOTUS.

[W_HAMILTON]

2. I kinda wish someone brought this exact line of questioning up during the hearing.

"If a president shot someone on Fifth Avenue, could he be prosecuted in office?"

Pretty much any answer Kavanaugh would have given would have made him look like a buffoon given his stance on the subject.

[SamKnause]

5. He would not have answered that question.

He didn't answer the majority of questions he was asked.

He just kept spouting off Supreme Court decisions and referring to the Constitution.

He was asked many questions about presidential powers and he did not answer any of them.

He wouldn't answer hypothetical questions.

He wouldn't answer questions about anything current.

He wouldn't even give his opinions on anything.

[bluestarone]

7. Just by NOT ANSWERING

Would tell me how he feels and HOW he would rule!

[UTUSN]

6. K&R

[GeorgeGist]

8. What about T R E A S O N ?

[Cosmocat]

9. To clarify, if an R potus shot acc someone

He could not be prosecuted. If a D potus so much as breathed air, he would be impeached.