The most absurd moment from Trump's make-or-break hearing today

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     January 9, 2024 Donald Trump arrived in federal court today to make the extraordinary argument that he is immune from prosecution over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election because those efforts took place while he was president. It's a [make-or-break moment for Trump](, who is hoping to end the election interference case before it goes to trial. And so far, the three-judge panel does not appear to be buying Trump's argument. That skepticism was on full display when one of the judges [asked if a president ordering SEAL Team 6]( to kill his political opponents would be immune from criminal prosecution. The Trump team's response was [terrifying, absurd, and entirely consistent]( with the former president's own words. By the way, Trump's appearance today is just one of two times he's expected to show up in court this week; closing arguments in Trump's New York civil fraud trial are this Thursday and the former president is reportedly planning to show up for that one too. All this is happening in the final stretch before the Iowa caucuses where he's all but certain to crush his GOP rivals. What a time to be alive, huh? —Inae Oh Advertisement [House Bookshop Ad]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [The Most Absurd Moment From Trump’s Make-or-Break Immunity Hearing]( An exchange that underscores the deeply authoritarian peril of Trump's campaign. BY INAE OH MOJO MUST-READS BY MARK FOLLMAN   Trigger Points: Inside the Mission to Stop Mass Shootings in America The acclaimed debut book from journalist Mark Follman tells the story of a groundbreaking method that has prevented dozens of school and mass shootings—and offers hope for solving an ongoing national crisis. [Get Trigger Points here](. [Trending] [The water loophole that leaves Arizonans parched—and developers richer]( BY JAKE BITTLE   [Ashli Babbitt's family is suing the government over her death during the January 6 riot]( BY RUSS CHOMA   [Defense Secretary Austin's mysterious hospital stay is a mess]( BY RUSS CHOMA   [Beavers are finally the good guy, and scientists want to know more]( BY BEN GOLDFARB Advertisement [House Donations Ad]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [Florida manatees rejoice: Seagrass may be bouncing back]( Food shortages resulting from human activities had contributed to die-offs. BY RICHARD LUSCOMBE [Fiercely Independent] Support from readers allows Mother Jones to do journalism that doesn't just follow the pack. [Donate]( Did you enjoy this newsletter? Help us out by [forwarding]( it to a friend or sharing it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755