Lawyers representing former President Donald Trump have requested that the Supreme Court reevaluate its earlier ruling, which rejected his appeal regarding a $5 million civil judgment awarded to author E. Jean Carroll. This plea follows the dismissal of the lawsuit last week.
On June 29, the court dismissed Trump’s petition without further consideration, which effectively upholds a jury’s 2023 decision that deemed Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll back in the 1990s. Trump continues to deny Carroll’s allegations.
In their motion, Trump’s legal team contends that the case should be reopened, as Trump intends to submit a different appeal to the Supreme Court concerning another defamation suit involving Carroll. This new case raises significant questions around the president’s immunity.
Trump’s lawyers specifically asked the court to either “grant the case a new trial” or pause proceedings while similar cases are being addressed. Their filing states that “President Donald J. Trump, appellant, respectfully petitions for review of this court’s June 29 order denying his petition for writ of certiorari.” They argue that rehearing is necessary because Trump is preparing to file a special writ petition in a separate case, Carroll v. Trump, which could question the president’s immunity concerning public statements.
Furthermore, they maintain that the trial involved improper use of Trump’s presidential statements, referencing definitive legal precedents relevant to the matter.
The legal team insists that either a new trial should be granted or the petition be suspended until the other appeal is resolved.
Overall, this request faces significant hurdles. Supreme Court procedures generally restrict reconsidering petitions after denial unless there are new, impactful circumstances or other valid grounds that weren’t previously included.
An initial motion for reconsideration did not proceed on Monday due to necessary amendments. The revised petition was submitted on Wednesday, but the court has yet to decide on this request.
A ruling could potentially come later this month, possibly as soon as July 20.
