A local point of view on 2024 elections

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The most recent presidential debate has left many with concerns about the future of the United States, along with Monday’s supreme court decision, ruling that Donald Trump and other presidents are absolutely immune from prosecution.

Andy Leighton is a chairperson for the Cape Girardeau County Democratic Central Committee who says the president’s performance during the most recent debate shouldn’t be the highlight of politics, but moreso, Trump’s lies and escaping conviction by the Supreme Court.

“There are people who have had their complaints about Biden’s debate performance, but it was far overshadowed by the firehose of falsehoods that were let loose by Trump on the debate night,” said Leighton. “I mean what relevancy does the supreme court of the United States have that the president is immune to prosecution for official acts? They have just handed Donald Trump a get out of jail free card.”

Republican Victor Gunn, on the other hand, feels quite the opposite.

“It was a correct decision,” said Gunn. “I think it was the right thing to do. I think the president shouldn’t have to worry about being in office and a successor coming along later and prosecuting him for supposed crimes.”

“A lot of people seem to be shooting from the hip with unfounded fear about what the supreme court may or may not have done,” Gunn explained. “The man was president when they were confidential. He had control over them. Who cares whether they stored them here or stored them there. But yes, they should follow the rules. I don’t know if the approach is taking the man to federal court and trying to prosecute him. It looks a little suspicious to the average citizen.”

Still, many like Leighton believe justice needs to be served, president or not.

“Sure, he may face some prosecutions, somewhere at some time for unofficial acts. But you know that he will use this if re-elected to do whatever!” said Leighton.