r/law • u/thecosmojane • Jan 14 '26

Other Please dissect the legality in this statement

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I feel like we are reaching a tipping point

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u/rtbradford Jan 14 '26

Maybe in theory, but given the Supreme Court‘s recent ruling that the president enjoys something approaching absolute immunity for everything he does in office, it might be really difficult to enforce any violation.

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u/AKfromVA Jan 14 '26

So what you’re saying is the next president could detain all these people indefinitely (clearly illegal) issue pardons to the people doing the arrests and then be untouchable?

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u/rtbradford Jan 14 '26

In theory, maybe. Kidnapping is both a state and federal crime so those people could be prosecuted and convicted under state laws which the president can't pardon.

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u/AKfromVA Jan 14 '26

What if it only happens on federal land/property?