Senate Majority Passes Gianaris’ No Citizen Is Above The Law Act
February 10, 2021
ALBANY - Today, the Senate Democratic Majority passed the “No Citizen is Above the Law Act” (S.1408) sponsored by Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, that will ensure that laws are equally applied to all citizens in New York State, including the President of the United States. This legislation was introduced in response to former President Donald Trump’s repeated legal maneuverings to obfuscate investigations by the New York State Attorney General and Manhattan District Attorney.
“We are fortunate that Donald Trump is out of the White House; however, we must not forget the abuses of the law that took place under his administration,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “I commend Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris for ensuring that no person is above the law in New York State, not even a former president. The Presidency must be held to the highest standard. The Senate Democratic Majority will always fight for transparency, accountability, and fairness when enforcing New York State’s laws.”
Bill Sponsor, Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, said, “Any President who breaks the law should be held accountable without regard to the time they spend in office. As our nation prepares for an unprecedented second impeachment trial, we must close the loophole that allows Presidents to escape culpability by exploiting statutes of limitations due to Presidential immunity.”
Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris’ legislation will pause the statute of limitations for all crimes alleged to be committed by the sitting President of the United States, thwarting all efforts to impede on-going criminal investigations. Under current law, the immunity enjoyed by Presidents can be used to run out the statute of limitations on criminal charges. The bill will take effect immediately, allowing prosecutors in New York State currently pursuing investigations into the former President of the United States to pursue charges if warranted.
Watch Senator Gianaris’ floor speech on the No Citizen Is Above the Law Act here.
