In light of new accusations that former President Barack Obama has been referred to the Justice Department for potential prosecution regarding resurfaced allegations of his role in 2016 Russian election interference, Texas Republican Senator took to the airwaves to address what many Obama supporters are claiming.
Immunity.
Cruz appeared on Fox News late last week to address the immunity of Obama in light of recent discussions about presidential accountability.
Last week, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revealed documents showing that the Obama administration may have withheld a December 2016 Presidential Daily Briefing to prevent then-President-elect Donald Trump from seeing evidence that Russia did not interfere in the election.
During his appearance on “The Ingraham Angle,” Cruz disagreed with the notion that Obama has absolute immunity from legal consequences.
Cruz’s rationale?
No former president has ever had immunity.
“It is challenging what the Supreme Court has said in the immunity cases. Official decisions are protected by official immunity. So it’s clear, for example, Barack Obama ordered a drone strike on Anwar al‑Awlaki, an American citizen,” Cruz said.
“He cannot be prosecuted for that because that was an official action. That’s what the Supreme Court said. By the way, FDR could not be prosecuted for dropping atom[ic] bombs on Japan. Truman could not be prosecuted.”
During the segment, Cruz did recognize the Supreme Court’s position on official immunity, which shields presidents from prosecution for actions taken in their official capacity.
However, Cruz said this immunity is not limitless when it comes to “official” decisions.
“There’s a whole host of actions, rather, Truman for dropping atom[ic] bombs, FDR for detaining Japanese citizens. Internment. The point is, official decisions of the president,” Cruz said.
Ingraham pressed Cruz, asking if what Obama allegedly did was an official decision.
“Look, there would be an argument about it,” Cruz said.
“I’ll tell you. He’s not going to be prosecuted in all likelihood for treason. But where the criminal liability will start is with members of the Obama administration who went under oath before Congress and lied. Flat out lied. We know Jim Clapper has lied repeatedly. And that will be the beginning of the investigation.”
The notion of treason was brought up after President Trump urged the Department of Justice to pursue Obama, accusing him of “treason” during a press conference in the Oval Office last week.
Watch Cruz’s segment here —
Obama spokesman Patrick Rodenbush responded to the new allegations last Tuesday, calling the accusations absurd and politically motivated.
“Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response,” Rodenbush wrote.
“But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.”
This is an on-going story. Check back for further developments.