Case studies

Question 3

What was the main investigation led by Jack Smith focused on?

Answer 3

Donald Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot.

Question 4

What significant event occurred on January 6, 2021?

Answer 4

Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol to disrupt the certification of the Electoral College results.

Question 5

What did the grand jury find by August 2023 regarding Trump?

Answer 5

Sufficient grounds to indict Trump for breaking four federal laws.

Question 6

List one of the five actions Trump allegedly took to overturn the 2020 election results.

Answer 6

• False claims of election fraud
• Fraudulent electors
• Misuse of the Justice Department
• Pressure on the Vice-President
• Inciting the January 6th riot

Question 7

What role did fake electors play in Trump’s alleged actions?

Answer 7

They submitted false electoral vote certificates in seven key states.

Question 8

How did Trump allegedly misuse the Justice Department?

Answer 8

He threatened to fire the Attorney General unless they conducted sham investigations and sent misleading letters to states.

Question 9

What pressure did Trump exert on Vice President Mike Pence?

Answer 9

To unlawfully alter the election results during the vote count on January 6th. After Pence refused Trump misled supporters with false claims of fraud and urged them to march to the Capitol.

Question 10

What argument did Trump make regarding his immunity from criminal prosecution?

Answer 10

Presidents have absolute immunity for actions taken while performing their constitutional duties. President can only be indicted Only after being impeached by the House and removed from office by the Senate.

Question 11

True or False: The indictment alleged that Trump’s actions were legitimate exercises of his constitutional authority.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

What is the purpose of a grand jury?

Answer 12

To determine whether there is enough evidence to bring criminal charges.

Question 13

What was the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Trump’s claim of immunity under the Impeachment Judgment Clause?

Answer 13

The Court dismissed Trump’s claim of complete immunity from all potential criminal charges

The clause allows an impeached and convicted president to face additional criminal charges after removal from office.

Question 14

What does the Impeachment Judgment Clause state about criminal charges?

Answer 14

It does not make criminal charges contingent upon a successful impeachment

An impeached president can still face charges unrelated to the impeachment process.

Question 15

What does ‘ultra vires’ mean in the context of presidential actions?

Answer 15

Actions that are beyond the powers granted to the president

Such actions are considered unofficial and not protected from prosecution.

Question 16

How does Trump v. United States (2024) show a growth of the imperial presidency that is dangerously above the law.

Answer 16

Immunity encourages presidential overreach, extending this immunity to criminal laws, that maintain public order & deter misconduct, is highly problematic, By ruling that courtscannot consider a president’s motives when determining whether an action is “official”, the decision significantly weakens judicial oversight, presidents have long functioned effectively without absolute immunity, Delayed accountability

Question 17

How does Trump v. United States (2024) strikes the right balance - it ensures that presidents will not get unnecessarily distracted

Answer 17

Courts can still hold criminal presidents accountable as any ultra vires acts lack imunity, Improper ‘official’ acts can result in impeachment.