Special counsel Jack Smith urged the Supreme Court on Wednesday to uphold a lower court ruling that dismissed former President Donald Trump’s argument of immunity from federal prosecution, thereby allowing his trial in the case related to the 2020 presidential election to proceed.
In a formal statement spanning 40 pages submitted to the Supreme Court, Smith underscored the paramount importance of promptly proceeding with a trial, especially in cases involving a former president accused of conspiring to disrupt the electoral process for personal benefit.
Smith emphasized, “It is imperative to ensure that these charges are expeditiously brought to trial, given the significant national interest at stake.”
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His filing was in response to Trump’s plea to the Supreme Court earlier this week to halt a decision by the federal appeals court in Washington that rejected his assertion of broad immunity from prosecution for his alleged attempts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
Trump Meets Deadline for Supreme Court Relief
The three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit set a deadline for Trump to seek immediate relief from the Supreme Court by February 12, a deadline that the former president met.
His legal team requested the justices to continue to suspend trial proceedings, which have been on hold since December, to allow Trump sufficient time to petition the full DC Circuit to reconsider his immunity argument and, if necessary, appeal to the Supreme Court.
Initially slated to commence on March 4, Trump’s trial in Washington was postponed earlier this month by US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who presides over the case.
In his submission, Smith proposed that if the Supreme Court deems Trump’s immunity claim worthy of review, it should expedite the case.
The special counsel suggested a timeline that would permit the court to hear oral arguments in March and issue a decision resolving the matter “as expeditiously as possible within this term,” enabling a prompt and equitable trial to proceed if the court rejects Trump’s immunity claim.
Submitted to the justices nearly a week ahead of schedule, Smith argued in the court documents that Trump’s contention of absolute immunity from criminal charges related to his official duties lacks support from constitutional provisions, principles of separation of powers, historical precedent, or logical reasoning.