Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments on Trump’s Immunity Claim.
Rejected Smith’s Request
via MSNBC
The Supreme Court rejected a request to fast-track arguments on whether Donald Trump has federal prosecution immunity for alleged crimes committed while in office, likely delaying his trial. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear oral arguments in April on former President Trump’s claim of immunity in the January 6 criminal investigation. This delay effectively pushes the federal case out until a ruling in June at the earliest.
Trump v. United States
via New York Post
The case of Trump v. United States is scheduled for late April 2024. This case revolves around the question of whether former President Donald Trump can be tried on criminal charges for allegedly conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump was indicted in August 2023 on four counts arising from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol.
Judge Tanya Chutkan
via C-SPAN
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan initially set a trial date for March 4, 2024, but postponed it pending the resolution of Trump’s immunity claims. By taking up the immunity question first, the Court has granted Trump’s legal team a tactical advantage in slowing the prosecution’s momentum.
Trump’s team
via Forbes Breaking News
This decision is a setback for the special counsel, favoring Trump’s strategy of delaying the case. Trump’s team argues for caution, emphasizing the political nature of the case.
Despite the rejection
via FOX
Despite the rejection, Trump maintains his immunity claim. The case revolves around whether Trump’s actions are protected under presidential immunity, with both sides emphasizing the urgency of resolving this matter.
The real question
via C-SPAN
“The real question is what happens then,” Steve Vladeck said. “Assuming the Court of Appeals rejects Trump’s claim, will it keep the trial on hold pending further review from the Supreme Court, or will it allow the trial to go forward and force Trump to seek a stay from the Supreme Court? It’s still possible that the trial begins on March 4, but the Supreme Court’s apparent willingness to let the DC Circuit go first makes it at least somewhat – and perhaps significantly – less likely.”
Political dispute
via CBS News
“The fact that this case arises in the vortex of political dispute warrants caution, not haste,” Trump attorneys wrote. “I was President, it was my right and duty to investigate, and speak on, the rigged and stolen 2020 Presidential Election,” Trump said. “Looking forward to the very important arguments on Presidential Immunity in front of the DC Circuit Court of Appeals!” he wrote.
As promptly as possible
via FOX
“It is of imperative public importance that respondent’s claims of immunity be resolved by this Court and that respondent’s trial proceed as promptly as possible if his claim of immunity is rejected,” Smith’s team wrote. “Here, the stakes are at least as high, if not higher: the resolution of the question presented is pivotal to whether the former President himself will stand trial – which is scheduled to begin less than three months in the future,” the special counsel wrote.
The Biden prosecutor’s
via FOX
“The Supreme Court just DENIED the Biden prosecutor’s emergency request to ROB me of my right to presidential immunity,” Trump said. “I will still have to fight for my rights in the Appeals Court – as the Biden Special Counsel will do everything in their power to rush my fake trial and wrongly CONVICT me before the 2024 election.”
Presidential immunity
via FOX
Trump’s lawyers argued that presidential immunity is necessary to avoid politically motivated prosecutions influencing the presidency. “Without immunity from criminal prosecution, the presidency as we know it will cease to exist,” Trump’s lawyers wrote.
Politically controversial
via CBS News
“Any decision by the president on a politically controversial question would face the threat of indictment by the opposing party after a change in administrations. All presidential decisions would be exposed to undue, wrongful pressure from opposing political forces, under a threat of indictment after the president has left office,” they wrote.
Recently ruled
via FOX
Meanwhile, the Court recently ruled that states cannot bar Trump from ballots for the 2024 election based on the insurrection clause, cementing his pathway to another presidential run if he wins the GOP nomination. “We conclude that States may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office. But States have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency,” the Court wrote.
The immunity hearing
via Inside Edition
The immunity hearing will have significant implications for presidential accountability going forward depending on how the Court rules. The Supreme Court will focus on the specifics of when a former president might be able to claim immunity for official acts taken in office. This decision will not only impact Trump but also set the rules for the actions of any future president.
The outcome
via C-SPAN
The outcome of this case could have significant ramifications, potentially influencing the timing of Trump’s federal trial in relation to the 2024 election.
Run for president
via C-SPAN
The case also raises the question of whether Trump can still run for president while under indictment in four separate cases or even if he is convicted of a crime.
The Supreme Court’s decision
via Youtube
The Supreme Court’s decision to hear oral arguments on Trump’s immunity claim signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the former president. The court’s ruling will not only affect Trump’s legal situation but could also set a precedent for future presidential immunity claims
