Former President Donald Trump, ahead of a federal appeals court hearing in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, issued a threat to prosecute his successor, President Joe Biden, if Trump doesn't receive immunity. In a video shared on social media, Trump asserted, "If I don't get immunity, then crooked Joe Biden doesn't get immunity. Joe would be ripe for indictment."

This statement came as the appeals court examined the extent of Trump's immunity claim regarding the 2020 election. Trump's lawyers argued that he should be immune from prosecution on charges related to efforts to overturn the election results.

Despite his loss to Biden in the 2020 election, Trump is currently leading in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. His anticipated easy victory in the Iowa contest on Monday solidifies his strong position.

During the court session, a federal appeals court delved into the scope of presidential immunity, challenging the extensive immunity claimed by Trump. His attorney contended that presidents are shielded from criminal prosecution for actions conducted while in office unless they face impeachment by the House and a subsequent conviction by the Senate.

The judges on the panel questioned whether this rationale would apply if a president engaged in multiple unlawful actions, such as issuing orders for political opponent assassinations or selling pardons. The inquiry aimed to test the limits of the immunity that Trump and his legal team asserted.