The Supreme Court’s ruling is a significant blow to special counsel Jack Smith, who sought a quick resolution to a key issue in the criminal indictment against Trump.
The US Supreme Court has declined to issue an immediate ruling Donald Trump’s to the claim that he cannot be prosecuted for an alleged attempt to influence the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
Thus, the lower degree of height can continue to clarify the matter.
Special Prosecutor Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court about two weeks ago to decide whether former President Trump has immunity from prosecution for crimes he allegedly committed during his presidency.
Supreme Court justices refused to take the case past the lower appeals court. This would have potentially accelerated the court’s decision on immunity from prosecution, which Trump has tried to claim for himself before the trial begins in March.
The Supreme Court announced the matter in a one-page decision, which contained no further explanations. None of the judges expressed an opinion that differed from the public opinion in the matter.
The judges may still decide on the matter again later.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a victory for Trump
The Supreme Court’s decision on Friday is a significant blow to special prosecutor Smith, writes CNN on its website. Smith gambled with the justices when, in a rare move, he asked the Supreme Court to bypass a federal appeals court and get the justices to quickly rule on a central issue in his criminal impeachment against Trump.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a victory for Trump, whose delaying tactics in the lawsuit include a protracted dispute over his right to immunity from prosecution, which must be resolved before the trial can begin.
Trump’s immunity from prosecution is scheduled to be heard on an expedited basis in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in early January 2024.
The trial for Trump’s attempt to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election is expected to start in March 2024.
Trump commented on Friday’s Supreme Court decision on social media and continued his assurances that he is immune from federal charges.
In early December, Trump’s lawyers asked the appeals court to review the federal judge by Tanya Chutkan line that Trump does not have full immunity from his actions and statements after the 2020 presidential election.
Sources: Reuters, AP