Internet slams Marco Rubio for defending Trump's presidential immunity claim as 'legitimate issue'

WASHINGTON, DC: Sen Marco Rubio defended former President Donald Trump's presidential immunity claims against the multiple criminal trial prosecutions as he heads to the 2024 presidential election, ABC News reported.

In an interview on ABC's 'This Week' on Sunday, March 24, the top Republican Senator from Florida used an "absurd" hypothetical to defend the ex-president's total presidential immunity for his conduct in office. He said Trump could not "go out and kill one of the members of the staff overnight inside the White House."

"I do think there's a legitimate issue here that we need to talk about writ large," Rubio said, arguing that many prosecutions against Trump were unfair and that the same problems could affect other presidents.

The former president faces 88 criminal charges over four indictments. However, he has denied any wrongdoing. The US Supreme Court will hear his immunity arguments in the week of April 22 after two lower courts refused to grant him the same.

Marco Rubio on presidential immunity

Rubio, who is reportedly considered a top contender for Trump's 2024 vice presidential pick, shared his view about the absolute immunity of a president.

"Do we want to live in a country where basically the opponents of a president can extort them, can have leverage over them during their entire presidency and say, 'Don't worry, once you're out of office, we're going to prosecute you, we're going to come after you, we're gonna charge you for this crime'?" the Florida Republican said.

"We're living in a country now where basically, if you're president, now you have to think to yourself, I've got to be careful what I do as president, not even legal or illegal, even on policy," he added.

'This Week' co-anchor Jonathan Karl also pressed Rubio about Trump's remarks of Jan 6 rioters as "patriots" and his plan to pardon the convicts who attacked Capitol Hill if he wins in November.

"What I do think is that people that went into the Capitol and committed crimes of violence or had zip ties and all that is different from someone who walked into an open door -- I think they should have prioritized and only prosecuted the people who committed acts of violence," the Senator responded.

When asked about the possibility of becoming Trump's running mate, Rubio said he had not discussed it with the GOP presumptive nominee but would be "honored" to be the No. 2 pick.

Trump has not announced who his running mate will be despite clinching the Republican nomination. Rubio is the latest in the list of speculated names, which includes Sen. Tim Scott, ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Rep. Elise Stefanik, former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, South Dakota Gov Kristi Noem, and Rep Byron Donalds.

Internet slams Marco Rubio

Netizens lashed out at Rubio for defending Trump's immunity arguments, accusing him of trying to grab the VP position.

One user remarked, "That's because he wants to be vice president!!"

"This guy is pathetic. Go read all he said about Trump in 2016," another user wrote.

A third individual added, "Little Marco sold his sad soul a long, long time ago."

"Rubio is a coward. He has shown this many times throughout his career," a fourth response read.

Someone else asked, "How can you be so young, educated, and corrupt?? It puzzles me," and another wrote, "Liddle Marco. He’ll say anything. No backbone."

"Trump keeps mentioning possible VP picks. They all bend over backward to defend him. Absolutely sickening!" another person said.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.