In the Appellate Court during oral arguments, Trump’s lawyer argued that because he was acquitted in the impeachment trial, as ex-president, he retained immunity for all criminal acts conducted as president. 

Senate Minority leader disagreed with this in February 13, 2021. In fact, what McConnell said, was that Trump, as a private citizen, would be held responsible for criminal acts conducted as president. It was a good argument for Trump that impeachment was only for removing current office holders.  Between January 6 and 20, there were only 14 days, not enough time for impeachment.  

Trump apparently wants it both ways. Can’t get me with impeachment, because there isn’t enough time, and can’t get me later, in court, because I wasn’t removed by impeachment, so I keep my immunity for all acts during the presidency. It is absurd.

Richard Nixon resigned and accepted a pardon, because he would have been convicted with obstructing justice.  Nixon was a lawyer before entering politics and understood the law.

See link: Read McConnell’s remarks on the Senate floor following Trump’s acquittal

Excerpts from a speech by McConnell on February 13, 2021:

“Impeachment, conviction, and removal are a specific intra-governmental safety valve. It is not the criminal justice system, where individual accountability is the paramount goal. Indeed, Justice Story specifically reminded that while former officials were not eligible for impeachment or conviction, they were ‘still liable to be tried and punished in the ordinary tribunals of justice.’

We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation. And former Presidents are not immune from being held accountable by either one.

McConnell spared no wording in condemning Trump’s actions (or inactions):

There is no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day. The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their President. And their having that belief was a foreseeable consequence of the growing crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories, and reckless hyperbole which the defeated President kept shouting into the largest megaphone on planet Earth.

Stay tuned,

Dave