 But Pace University law professor Bennett Gershman says he doesn't think that will happen. Even if a president has absolute immunity, a candidate for president doesn't. And I think that was Judge Merchant's thinking from the beginning. Julie Walker, New York. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the U.S. will soon announce an additional $2.3 billion in security assistance for Ukraine. This package, under presidential drawdown authority, will provide more air defense interceptors.