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Donald Trump warned President Joe Biden could face a weaponized Department of Justice if he doesn't receive immunity.
Confirming he would be attending an appeals court hearing on his immunity this week, Trump said on his social media platform, Truth Social, that some of the political issues facing the Biden administration would be enough to earn the Democrat a criminal prosecution after his presidency.
"With the Border Invasion and Afghanistan Surrender, alone, not to mention the Millions of dollars that went into his 'pockets' with money from foreign countries, Joe would be ripe for Indictment," Trump said.
Biden has faced criticism for the handling of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 and the issue of migrants at the southern border. Trump also claims Biden benefited from son Hunter Biden's business dealings and pocketed cash from foreign countries during his time as vice president.
There is no evidence to back that up, nor any suggestion Joe Biden has committed any criminal wrongdoing as president.
Newsweek approached the White House for comment.
Trump is facing four separate criminal indictments, with three of them in Florida, Washington, D.C., and Georgia, including allegations relating to the time Trump was president.
In the American capital, he is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights. The charges relate to Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
He denies the charges and says they are politically motivated.
The 45th president is seeking immunity on the grounds he was carrying out his official responsibilities as president. The argument was rejected by District Judge Tanya Chutkan on December 1, leading to an appeals process likely to end up in America's highest court.
Special Counsel Jack Smith attempted to bypass the decision of the the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in the hope that a decision in his favor would help the trial keep to its March 4 start date.
"Of course I was entitled, as President of the United States and Commander in Chief, to Immunity," he said. "I wasn't campaigning, the Election was long over. I was looking for voter fraud, and finding it, which is my obligation to do, and otherwise running running our Country. If I don't get Immunity, then Crooked Joe Biden doesn't get Immunity..."
No evidence of election fraud pertaining to the 2020 election has been found, despite Trump's persistent claims.
Trump's comments come amid concern in some quarters over his statements regarding his actions if he were to win the presidency again in November this year. He said he would not become a dictator, "Other than day one," during an Iowa town hall in December.
About the writer
Benjamin Lynch is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is U.S. politics and national affairs and he ... Read more