Officer Michael Fanone and Sergeant Aquilino Gonell Condemn the Supreme Court’s Presidential Immunity Ruling
“It is a slap in the face to us officers who protected our democracy on January 6th and to the millions of Americans who believe no one is above the law.”
WASHINGTON, D.C — Today, Courage for America Councilmembers Officer Michael Fanone and Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, both severely injured while defending the Capitol on January 6th, condemned the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity giving Trump immunity for parts of his plot to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and remanding the Trump v. United States case back to the United States District Court to determine whether Trump’s other actions possess immunity, further delaying the criminal prosecution of Trump’s conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election.
“MAGA Republicans in Congress are rejoicing that the Court is doing what they have not been able to — give Trump extended political cover by further delaying the trial on his role in the efforts to overturn the 2020 election,” said Officer Fanone, Courage for America Councilmember. “This ruling is outrageous. It is a slap in the face to us officers who protected our democracy on January 6th and to the millions of Americans who believe no one is above the law. The Supreme Court and Congress have bent over backwards in their attempts to evade accountability for those who orchestrated and incited the insurrection on January 6th. However, no court case can change what happened to me that day, nor my commitment to making sure my daughters have a democracy that is free from political violence.”
“Today, the Court decided to follow the lead of the most extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress by granting Donald Trump absolute immunity for his ‘official’ acts that led to the insurrection that threatened the lives of over 140 officers like me at the Capitol. This ruling is profoundly upsetting but unsurprising. It follows a pattern of behavior laid out by Speaker Mike Johnson and MAGA Republicans who have continuously rallied against America’s principles like the rule of law,” said Sergeant Gonell, Courage for America Councilmember. “I will continue holding Mike Johnson and this MAGA Congress accountable for their continuous threats to our democracy today and every day.”
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