Former President Trump has asked the Supreme Court to delay the trial stemming from special counsel Jack Smith’s 2020 election interference case, arguing that he has executive privilege to protect himself from prosecution.
Trump’s lawyers filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court on Monday afternoon, days after the Washington, D.C., Court of Appeals ruled that the former president and 2024 Republican front-runner Smith are immune from prosecution in their case. Ta.
The request seeks to temporarily suspend or block the appeals court’s order from taking effect, so that Trump’s lawyers can appeal to the Supreme Court whether former President Trump deserves criminal immunity. will be given more time. He will be prosecuted for his actions while in office.
Former President Donald Trump speaks in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on February 9, 2024. (Spencer Pratt)
The trial stemming from Mr. Smith’s lawsuit against Mr. Trump has been put on hold pending resolution of immunity issues.
The Justice Department may seek expedited consideration of this first emergency appeal.
“If the President’s charges are upheld, such charges will recur and become increasingly common, starting a cycle of destructive accusations,” the 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.
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.” . ”
The U.S. Supreme Court will convene in Washington on November 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)
“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.”
Trump’s lawyers added: “Without immunity from criminal prosecution, the presidency as we know it will cease to exist.”
President Trump’s spokesperson described the application as a “strong application.”
Special Counsel Jack Smith arrives in Washington, DC on August 1, 2023 to address the recently unsealed indictment containing four felonies against former President Donald Trump. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
A spokesperson for President Trump told Fox News Digital: “As President Trump’s influential Supreme Court filing explains, if the president is not granted immunity, all future outgoing presidents will be hostile to “There is a possibility that the person may be unfairly prosecuted.” “Without complete immunity, the President of the United States would not be able to function properly. Even while the President is still in office, his political opponents will use the threat of future prosecution as a weapon, effectively impeaching the President “This is a most sensitive and important decision.” ”
The spokesperson added: “The Supreme Court should grant the requested stay and put an end to deranged Jack Smith’s repeated attempts to fraudulently disrupt the normal and proper functioning of our judicial system.” added.
This is a developing story. Please check back for the latest information.
