The Supreme Court has agreed to rule on whether former President Donald Trump is immune from criminal charges in his federal election interference case. Trump requested the case to be paused until the court decides on his immunity claim, arguing that he cannot be prosecuted for official acts performed while in office. The court has set a timeline for briefs and oral arguments, with a potential opinion taking months to be issued.
If the justices rule against Trump, the case will proceed in federal court in Washington, D.C., potentially heading to trial during the presidential campaign where Trump seeks to challenge President Joe Biden. On the other hand, if the court rules in Trump's favor, the case will be dismissed.
The Supreme Court's decision to take up the immunity claim comes after a lower appeals court rejected Trump's argument that he cannot be prosecuted for his actions related to the 2020 election. The court unanimously ruled that Trump, as a former president, is no longer protected by executive immunity and can be prosecuted as a regular citizen.
Special counsel Jack Smith, who is prosecuting Trump in D.C., has urged the Supreme Court not to further delay the case. However, Trump's attorneys argue that without immunity from prosecution, the presidency as we know it would cease to exist.
The case revolves around allegations that Trump illegally conspired to overturn Biden's victory in the 2020 election, including efforts to stop Congress from counting Electoral College votes on January 6, 2021. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Supreme Court's decision on Trump's immunity claim will have significant implications for the future of the case and potentially for the precedent regarding the prosecution of former presidents for actions taken while in office.