On Trump

[dlaloum]

Maybe I/we shouldn't be dismissive of Trump's bluster over Greenland.

‘We Need It’: Trump Signals US is Coming for Greenland Next

President Donald Trump suggested the next U.S. takeover target might be Greenland, telling The Atlantic’s Michael Scherer on Sunday that “we need it for defense.” Trump called Scherer to discuss the American military action conducted on Friday night which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan...

www.yahoo.com

Dismissive, no.... but Greenland/Denmark is a member of NATO, and that massively complicates the calculus, if not for Trump, then at least for many of his key advisors.

 

[GO-NAD!]

Dismissive, no.... but Greenland/Denmark is a member of NATO, and that massively complicates the calculus, if not for Trump, then at least for many of his key advisors.

I pointed out in a previous post that Denmark's NATO membership "should" insulate Greenland from an American invasion. But, Trump's continuous disregard for the law, alliances and treaties is certainly sowing seeds of doubt.

 

[Dude#1279435]

Maybe 'America Afterwards" hahaha....funny how not that long ago Trump was talking about all the unnecessary deaths. Then the Dept of War came along. Simultaneously capturing Maduro while pardoning others etc.

WHAT HAPPENED TO 'AMERICA FIRST'?

 

[Dude#1279435]

It's not like Trump hid the fact that he wanted Venezuela's oil... public statements on the topic in 2023!

Part of the problem for Trump has been that none of the US Oil companies are interested in the risk involved in building infrastructure in Venezuela... to easy for an organised guerilla force to blow up flammable installations!

So for there to be any commercial interest, you first need stability... kidnapping Maduro just provides an opportunity for his VP to step up - the cabinet, government, military etc... are all still in place.

Not clear as to what kidnapping Maduro achieves - other than giving Trump another excuse to bloviate

We got Saddam anyway.

I remember when someone said that after the Bush years. I remember thinking they were kind of correct given quite a few didn't think it was a good move to go into the Middle East to begin with. Well we got Maduro anyway.

 

[3db]

The Trump circus continues with Maduro. I find it ironic that a person cannot be charged and go under trial while they hold the office of president. This is another fatal flaw in the US constitution. Yet this law gets swept under the rug for Maduro? There seems two be laws running in the US, one for Trump, and one for the rest of the people. Trump broke international law and he's about to break two or 3 more. If Trump is not careful, he's going to push all his allies to China and the US will find itself all alone. Trump has to be removed from office.

 

[Mr._Clark]

The Trump circus continues with Maduro. I find it ironic that a person cannot be charged and go under trial while they hold the office of president. This is another fatal flaw in the US constitution. Yet this law gets swept under the rug for Maduro? There seems two be laws running in the US, one for Trump, and one for the rest of the people. Trump broke international law and he's about to break two or 3 more. If Trump is not careful, he's going to push all his allies to China and the US will find itself all alone. Trump has to be removed from office.

Under U.S. law Trump has immunity for official acts taken while he is president. Even prior to the Supreme Court decision last year DOJ policy prohibited bringing criminal charges against a sitting U.S. president but that was policy, not law.

Under international law heads of state normally have diplomatic immunity against criminal charges brought by a different country. Maduro.will undoubtedly argue diplomatic immunity. A question in his case will be who decides if he is/was a head of state. The U.S. did not recognize Maduro as the head of state of Venezuala but his lawyers will undoubtedly argue that he stole the election fair and square (yes, that was intended to be a joke of sorts) and it is Venezualen law that controls.

I expect him to lose on this issue but it’s far from a slam dunk for the prosecution

Of course, all of the usual disclaimers apply because this is way outside my area of practice

 

[GO-NAD!]

Under U.S. law Trump has immunity for official acts taken while he is president. Even prior to the Supreme Court decision last year DOJ policy prohibited bringing criminal charges against a sitting U.S. president but that was policy, not law.

Under international law heads of state normally have diplomatic immunity against criminal charges brought by a different country. Maduro.will undoubtedly argue diplomatic immunity. A question in his case will be who decides if he is/was a head of state. The U.S. did not recognize Maduro as the head of state of Venezuala but his lawyers will undoubtedly argue that he stole the election fair and square (yes, that was intended to be a joke of sorts) and it is Venezualen law that controls.

I expect him to lose on this issue but it’s far from a slam dunk for the prosecution

Of course, all of the usual disclaimers apply because this is way outside my area of practice

Whether or not the US government recognizes Maduro as head of state of Venezuela should be beside the point. "Normal" governments would submit an extradition request. If the request is granted, fine. If not, they're SOL. Being the biggest dog in the junk yard does not grant it any more rights, privileges or authority. We're seeing a turning back of the clock to a time when international law wasn't a thing.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

Of course, all of the usual disclaimers apply because this is way outside my area of practice

While that may be the case, you are our best sources for legal questions in general and legal explanations of what makes the news.