The lawyer, William Consovoy, was responding to a question by Judge Denny Chin of the Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, who asked, ‘What’s your view on the 5th Avenue example? Local authorities couldn’t investigate? They couldn’t do anything about it?’
‘I think once the president is removed from office, any local authority — This is not a permanent immunity,’ Consovoy said.
‘Well, I’m talking about while in office,’ Judge Chin continued.
‘No,’ Consovoy interrupted.
‘That’s the hypo[thetical]. Nothing could be done — that’s your position?’ the judge pressed.
‘That is correct. That is correct,’ Consovoy responded.
The exchange came as lawyers were arguing in the 2nd Circuit in New York over a subpoena for Trump’s tax returns as part of a Manhattan county criminal investigation involving the president.