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Back to All the Presidents' Lawyers

All the Presidents' Lawyers

If President Trump gives bad advice, can you sue him?

When the president downplays a pandemic or implies aid to states are being withheld until governors say nice things about him, can he be sued?

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By Josh Barro • Apr 1, 2020 • 31m Listen

President Trump has been making implicit threats to governors with relief funds amid the coronavirus crisis. Are there any legal restrictions on his ability to play favorites? Could any state or anyone sue because the president sent personal protective equipment to states whose governors said nicer things about him? Ken says the president has a lot of immunity in this area, even when he’s talking about unscientific treatments for Covid-19. Is Fox News also immune? What’s the difference here?

President Trump’s campaign has sent some angry cease-and-desist letters to TV stations that have aired a super PAC ad that criticizes his handling of the pandemic. And, parts of a lawsuit against the president for his revocation of press passes is allowed to move forward in part.

Plus: an update on federal courts, now a few weeks into this crisis; Bill Barr is directing the Bureau of Prisons to release some federal inmates, and his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee has been postponed. Could that not be a Zoom meeting?

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    Josh Barro

    Former host of Left, Right & Center

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    Ken White

    Brown, White & Osborn / Popehat

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    Sara Fay

    Former producer of Left, Right and Center

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