Byron Donalds And Charlamagne Team Up To Fact-Check Ex-CNN Commentator On Qualified Immunity For Police

Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida and radio host Charlamagne Tha God on Tuesday joined forces to fact-check former CNN commentator Angela Rye on qualified immunity for police.

Qualified immunity shields police officers from civil lawsuits unless they infringe upon “clearly established” rights. While guest-hosting “The Breakfast Club,” Rye appeared to challenge Donalds’ assertion that qualified immunity is irrelevant when an officer violates the U.S. Constitution, prompting the congressman and Charlamagne to correct her stance.

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“When you violate a constitutional right, qualified immunity doesn’t apply to you, and that’s what I’m talking about,” Donalds said. “It does not, Angela, don’t do that. It does not.”

Rye, who was guest-hosting virtually, appeared to be shaking her head at Donalds’ assertion.

“I thought that was the definition of qualified immunity,” Charlamagne said.

“If you carry yourself outside of the confines of your training and the protocols of that department, qualified immunity doesn’t apply to you. It does not,” Donalds said.

Rye called Donalds’ statement “not true” and “patently false,” but the congressman responded it is “patently true.”