The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to reconsider former President Donald Trump’s immunity from prosecution in the federal election interference case brought by the presidential special counsel. This case is a disputed presidential election and will have a large-scale legal and political impact on the country.
The justices are moving forward with the appeal, with oral arguments scheduled for late April and a decision on the merits expected by late June. Trump’s criminal trial has been put on hold until the matter is resolved.
donald trump and jack smith (Getty Images)
This is the second time this term that the high court has heard a case involving a potential Republican presidential candidate. Earlier this month, a separate debate took place over whether Trump could be removed from the Colorado primary over his claims that he committed “insurrection” during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. .
The high court is considering an emergency appeal filed by former President Trump seeking a stay of a trial stemming from special counsel Jack Smith’s 2020 election interference case, saying he has executive privilege to protect him from prosecution. He claimed that there was.
President Trump asserts executive privilege and asks Supreme Court to extend delay in election lawsuit
The request came just a few days after an incident. DC Court of Appeals In Smith’s case, the court ruled that the former president and 2024 Republican front-runner will also not be immune from prosecution.
The request provides temporary relief, halting or blocking the appeals court’s order from taking effect, so Trump’s lawyers can appeal to the Supreme Court on whether former President Trump deserves immunity from criminal prosecution. You will be given more time to Actions while in office.
Days later, Mr. Smith asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reject Mr. Trump’s bid to delay the trial.
The special counsel’s filing does not explicitly mention the upcoming November election or Trump’s status as president. Top Republican primary candidatesprosecutors said the case was of “unique national importance” and that “delays in resolving these charges threaten to undermine the public’s interest in speedy and fair sentencing.” “There is,” he said.
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Former President Donald Trump and Special Counsel Jack Smith. Smith is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider Trump’s immunity claims in the election interference criminal case against him. (Getty Images)
The case stemming from Mr. Smith’s lawsuit against Mr. Trump has been put on hold pending resolution of immunity issues.
“If the President’s charges are upheld, such charges will recur and become increasingly common, starting a cycle of destructive accusations,” Trump’s request states. “Criminal prosecution carries greater stigma and harsher penalties, and imposes far greater ‘personal vulnerability’ on the president than civil penalties.”
“The threat of future criminal prosecution by a politically opposed administration will overshadow every official act of a future president, especially his most politically controversial decisions,” the request added. Ta.
Trump not immune from prosecution in 2020 election lawsuit, federal appeals court rules
The request states that the president’s “political opponents must not engage in effective blackmail or blackmail, either explicitly or implicitly, with the threat of prosecution for actions that do not warrant prosecution by a future hostile regime.” “Thus, they will seek to influence and control the president’s decisions.” . ”
“This threat hangs like a millstone around the neck of every future president, distorting presidential decision-making, undermining presidential independence, and clouding a president’s ability to ‘fearlessly and impartially’ handle his duties.” Let’s go.”
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Supreme Court building in Washington DC (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Trump’s lawyers added: “Without immunity from criminal prosecution, the presidency as we know it will cease to exist.”
President Trump’s trial postponed due to special counsel Jack Smith’s January case 6 Investigation
The decision comes after a federal judge in Washington, D.C. Tanya Chutkan March, the day before the crucial Super Tuesday primaries involving Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The trial, which was scheduled to begin on the 4th, has been officially postponed. , Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Vermont all vote to elect Republican candidates.
In December, Chutkan suspended his lawsuit against the 2024 Republican front-runner until the high court rules on his involvement, saying he lacks jurisdiction while the matter is before the Supreme Court.
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Smith indicted the former president on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. Obstructing or attempting to interfere with an official proceeding. and conspiracy against rights. These charges stem from Mr. Smith’s investigation into whether President Trump was involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and allegations of interference in the 2020 election results.
Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges in August 2023.
This is a developing story. Please check back for the latest information.