Federal prosecutors have urgently appealed to the US Supreme Court to determine swiftly whether former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution.
The charges against Trump allege conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election. Special Counsel Jack Smith emphasized the case’s profound implications for democracy, questioning if a former president enjoys absolute immunity from federal prosecution for actions taken while in office.
In a filing to the Supreme Court, Smith acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the request, emphasizing its paramount public importance.
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The Supreme Court, featuring a 6-3 conservative majority, including three Trump-nominated justices, has been asked for an expedited ruling. Trump’s trial is slated to begin on March 4, 2024, in Washington.
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Trump’s legal team has consistently sought trial delays, asserting “absolute immunity” for a former president. US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, overseeing the unprecedented criminal trial, rejected this immunity claim on December 1, stating that no one, including a former president, is above the law.
Despite appeals to a federal court, Smith is pushing for the Supreme Court to bypass the intermediate step and take up the case on an emergency basis.
Smith argues that the principle of no one being above the law is crucial, especially when a grand jury accuses a former president of federal crimes aimed at undermining the peaceful transfer of power.
The Supreme Court has committed to expedited consideration, with Trump’s attorneys required to respond to the special counsel’s request by December 20.
As the legal battle intensifies, the nation awaits a pivotal decision on whether Trump will face trial for the alleged offenses committed during his term in office.
