The US Supreme Court has refused to expedite the consideration of former President Donald Trump’s claim of immunity from prosecution, potentially impacting the trial regarding his alleged interference in the 2020 election.
Special Counsel Jack Smith had urged the Supreme Court to directly address the immunity matter, bypassing the federal court of appeals. However, the court, featuring a 6-3 conservative majority, including three justices nominated by Trump, declined the request without providing a detailed rationale.
Trump, aged 77 and a prospective candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, faces a trial on March 4, 2024, accused of conspiring to overturn the November 2020 election results that favoured Democrat Joe Biden.
Trump’s legal team has persistently sought trial postponements, claiming “absolute immunity” for a former president, contending that actions taken during his tenure in the White House are not prosecutable.
US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, assigned to preside over Trump’s upcoming trial, rejected the immunity assertion on December 1, stating that a former president does not possess an “absolute ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ pass.”
The case, now directed to the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit following the Supreme Court’s decision, could potentially impact the scheduled trial date in March, according to legal experts.
Meanwhile, the DC appeals court has set January 9 for arguments on the immunity claim, likely leading to a final decision that could eventually reach the Supreme Court before its session ends in June.
In response to the Supreme Court’s denial, Trump expressed anticipation for presenting his case before the appeals court, reiterating baseless claims of winning the 2020 election.
Apart from this legal battle, Trump’s legal team is expected to appeal a Colorado Supreme Court decision that might prevent him from appearing on the Republican primary ballot in Colorado. The state court ruled Trump ineligible, citing his alleged role in inciting the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Trump faces multiple legal challenges, including indictments related to election interference in Georgia, mishandling secret documents in Florida post-presidency, and charges in Washington for conspiracy and obstruction linked to election results.
The Supreme Court has also agreed to examine a law pertinent to charges against Trump and his supporters involved in the Capitol attack, alongside a ruling from the Colorado court, setting the stage for a legal storm surrounding the former president.