Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa, on December 19, 2023.
Donald Trump, seen here speaking at a campaign event in December 2023 in Iowa, wants a federal court to give him immunity from criminal prosecution.
  • Donald Trump is asking a federal appeals court to give him "absolute immunity" from prosecution.
  • It's a terrible idea, former officials for Republican presidents say.
  • In a brief to the court, they said agreeing with Trump would undermine the Constitution and encourage future coups.

A group of former officials for Republican presidents urged a federal appeals court to shut down Donald Trump's claim of "absolute immunity" from criminal prosecution.