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Being reduced to "Citizen Trump" reportedly isn't gonna sit well with the 45th president.
Donald Trump's former lawyer Tim Parlatore claimed the ex-president's ego is bruised and he's "concentrating" on it.
He said this while appearing on CNN's "The Source" with Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday, hours after the three-judge panel that makes up the D.C. Court of Appeal ruled in a
57-page unanimous opinion that he doesn't possess absolute immunity.
"For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant," the judges wrote, adding, "Former President Trump lacked any lawful discretionary authority to defy federal criminal law and he is answerable in court for his conduct."
"I mean, I think that he's probably taking it more personally, particularly the parts about 'Citizen Trump,'" said Parlatore. "I think that he's probably more concentrating on that."
And while Trump is possibly wallowing in being reduced to a common American, Parlatore explained that there is still a job to do to by his legal counsel to defend their client.
He said, "one would hope that his lawyers — and he has some very good lawyers on this particular issue to try to refocus it on just the legal aspects..."
Trump's campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a
statement, "President Trump respectfully disagrees with the D.C. Circuit's decision and will appeal it in order to safeguard the Presidency and the Constitution."
As far as whether he believes the Supreme Court is going to take the case, Parlatore is optimistic.
"You know, I do see a value in the Supreme Court weighing in and potentially clarifying what type of conduct would or wouldn't be under the immunity," he said. "I don't think that it's going to affect the outcome. I don't think it's going to change, you know, what's going to happen in this trial."
He also thinks the case will get its due once the nine justices potentially take the case.
"I think that the Supreme Court would have to make that decision really based on the law and the precedent whereas a lot of people want to make the decision based on the schedule of getting the trial done before the election."
