In a historic turning point that has completely altered the American political landscape, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has just issued a devastating ruling against Donald Trump’s legal defense strategies. No longer a matter of mere speculation or vague debate, this ruling has effectively slammed shut every “exit” Trump meticulously built, making the prospect of spending the rest of his life behind bars nearly inevitable.

The court systematized its ruling through four critical points, directly striking at the core arguments of the Trump legal team:

First, Self-Pardon is Worthless: The court affirmed that Trump cannot issue a pardon for himself. The power to pardon is an act of mercy from one individual to another; a self-pardon is unconstitutional and holds no legal weight.

Second, Immunity Narrowed to the Absolute Minimum: Immunity only protects a very small range of core official acts. Most of the actions Trump is accused of—related to campaign activities and efforts to retain power—fall outside this scope.

Third, No Immunity for Impeachable Offenses: This is a massive blow. If an action could lead to impeachment by Congress (such as overturning an election or obstructing justice), that action is not entitled to any immunity protection.

Fourth, Prosecution Resumes Post-Term: The court emphasized that once he leaves the White House, Trump will face the justice system like any other citizen. The title of former President is not a permanent shield.

Why are legal experts asserting that life imprisonment is now “inevitable”? The answer lies in the basic arithmetic between the number of charges and Trump’s age.

Donald Trump is currently 78 years old. He faces dozens of serious charges across multiple fronts: from the classified documents case (with maximum sentences of 10–20 years per count) to election interference and obstruction of justice. The theoretical total sentence could exceed 100 years.

Even if the court applies lenient sentencing or allows terms to run concurrently, a mere 10-to-15-year sentence in the documents case would keep Trump in prison until the age of 92. For a man of his age, any long-term prison sentence is, in effect, a life sentence. He would never see freedom again; his life would likely end under federal custody.

The D.C. Court’s ruling has created an irreversible “legal conveyor belt”. While Trump is in office, the presidency may provide temporary protection. However, this ruling has established a clear roadmap: the moment his term ends, the belt activates, carrying him directly to trials, guilty verdicts, and ultimately, a federal penitentiary.

This explains Trump’s increasingly radical stance in politics. Knowing that leaving power means facing iron bars, Trump is pushed into a position where he must maintain power at any cost, breaking democratic norms to avoid the moment the legal system finally catches up with him.

This ruling is not just about legal technicalities; it is a reaffirmation of America’s core principle: No one, not even the President, is above the law.

Justice may be slow, but it is moving with cold, calculated precision. Donald Trump is looking into a dark future where every “escape hatch” has been sealed. As the D.C. Court’s gavel falls, it does more than end the debate on immunity—it may have finished writing the final chapter of the 45th President’s life within the stone walls of a federal prison.