The special counsel prosecuting Donald Trump on federal charges related to the former president’s efforts to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss will seek to further delay his trial as he claims immunity. They asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reject Trump’s offer.
Jack Smith’s motion to judge on Monday Trump’s lawyers asking to stay a decision by a three-judge U.S. panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to dismiss the president’s claims. It was in response to the request. Immunity from prosecution.
If the justices do not immediately deny Trump’s request, Smith asked the court to take up the case and try it quickly.
Mr. Trump’s lawyers asked the justices to halt the trial proceedings until all judges on the D.C. Circuit review the case and, if necessary, request an appeal to the Supreme Court.
In December, the Supreme Court denied Smith’s request to rule on immunity even before the D.C. Circuit’s ruling, despite the special counsel’s bid to speed up the resolution process. did. The justices instead chose, as is customary, to rule first in a lower appellate court.
A March 4 trial date for Mr. Trump in federal court in Washington on four criminal charges filed by Mr. Smith in the election-subversion case has been postponed, and a new date has not yet been set. President Trump has maintained his innocence and has sought to claim the incident was politically motivated.
“The public has a compelling interest in seeing the charges go to trial,” Smith said in a filing with the judge, adding, “When a former president is tried, as here, “The public’s interest in the trial is at its peak,” he added. He is charged with conspiring to subvert the electoral process in order to remain in office.
Smith said Trump’s criminal charges reflect an alleged move to “perpetuate his hold on power and prevent the legitimate winner of the 2020 presidential election from assuming the presidency.” The crimes charged strike at the heart of our democracy. ”
“The president’s alleged criminal plot to overturn an election and prevent the peaceful transfer of power to his successor should be the last place to find a new form of absolute immunity in federal criminal law,” Smith said. added.
Trump’s lawyers argue that “Mr. Trump’s months-long criminal trial, at the height of election season, would fundamentally disrupt his ability to campaign against Joe Biden.”
Trump has been charged with 91 felonies in four criminal cases in New York, Florida, Washington and Georgia. He denies all charges and could be jailed if convicted.
In the federal election interference case, President Trump is charged with conspiracy to commit fraud against the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstructing and attempting to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights in his relentless pursuit to overturn the results of a federal election. has been indicted for. He will remain in power in the 2020 elections.
On January 6, 2021, a group of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. fatal but failed Efforts to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. President Trump had called on rioters to “fight like hell” at a rally near the White House shortly before the riot, but did not take strong action to quell the rioters even after they attacked police officers and breached the Capitol. Ta.
Two hearings will be held on Thursday in two other cases. President Trump is scheduled to attend a hearing in New York regarding hush money allegations during the 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors have accused Trump of illegally repaying money he paid to adult film producer and actor Stormy Daniels to his former fixer Michael Cohen. The case is scheduled to go to trial in March.
And in Atlanta, a judge is scheduled to hold a hearing in the state election interference and extortion case filed against Trump and several co-defendants, including Fulton County District Attorney Fannie Willis and Special Counsel Nathan Wade. Details about his relationship are expected to be revealed.
And President Trump is awaiting a ruling from a New York civil judge in a fraud case against his family business, the Trump Organization, that could eviscerate his real estate empire.
