And why was it invoked by the former US President Donald Trump?
Trump declined to answer questions before the New York state’s attorney general in an investigation into his family’s business practices.
He said “I declined to answer the questions under the rights and privileges afforded to every citizen under the United States Constitution”
This was a reference to the United States Constitution’s Fifth Amendment.
In short, exercising the Fifth Amendment protects you against self-incrimination.
But some commentators have found Trump hypocritical because of his previous stance
According to Reuters,
“Trump’s decision not to answer questions could carry consequences. Should the investigation lead to a trial, jurors could take his silence into account. Politically, it could also give adversaries ammunition about whether Trump has something to hide as he looks towards another presidential run in 2024”.
But other’s say these investigations are firing him up to become the Republican Party’s presidential candidate in the 2024 elections.
In his statements over the years, the former President denied wrongdoing and says the probes are part of a vendetta against him by news organizations.
Recently, there was also an unprecedented FBI raid to his Florida home as part of a seperate investigation
Only time will tell, how all this will play out.
If it’s in Trumps favor he will most likely be the Republican Party’s Presidential contender.
Or these investigations may further damage him.
