Michael Fanone, a former U.S. Capitol Police officer, called out former President Trump for continuing to call jailed rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 hostages and saying he would pardon them if reelected.
“Donald Trump is sick. He’s a sick individual. And the idea that he would align himself with, criminals, who attacked and assaulted law enforcement officers, who were only there doing their jobs, is sick,” Fanone said Friday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
“And anybody that would support that is equally demented,” he continued in comments highlighted by Mediaite.
Fanone joined the outlet’s Willie Geist to discuss the Supreme Court’s hearing over Trump’s presidential immunity argument.
Fanone was beaten by rioters attacking the Capitol. He suffered a heart attack and a traumatic brain injury after being struck with a Taser. Fanone has been one of the most outspoken activists among law enforcement at the Capitol on that day.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court heard arguments for nearly three hours from Trump’s lawyers about why he should be immune from criminal prosecution in a case that alleges he plotted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Justices voiced skepticism about their argument that presidential immunity could extend to an attempted coup, even though they seemed ready to provide the former president with some protection from criminal prosecution.
Trump’s team has argued he should have absolute immunity for official acts while in office and should extend to after he left office. The protections should cover his efforts to prevent a peaceful transfer of power after he lost the election, they argue.
The landmark case could create new legal battles and delay the ones Trump is facing. A decision from the Supreme Court is expected by the end of June, but special counsel Jack Smith has asked the court to move on a quicker timeline.
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