Special Counsel Urges Supreme Court to Reject Trump’s Bid to Delay Trial
Special Counsel Urges Prompt Trial for Trump
The special counsel prosecuting Donald Trump on federal charges involving the former president’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to reject Trump’s bid to further delay trial proceedings as he presses his claim of immunity. Special Counsel Jack Smith emphasized the nation’s compelling interest in seeing the charges brought to trial, particularly where a former president is charged with conspiring to subvert the electoral process.
Smith Responds to Trump’s Lawyers
In response to a request by Trump’s lawyers to put on hold a decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejecting the claim of presidential immunity from prosecution, Smith emphasized the importance of a prompt trial. He also asked that the Supreme Court take up the case and hear it on a fast-track basis if they do not immediately reject Trump’s request.
Smith Highlights the Seriousness of Trump’s Charges
Smith underscored the gravity of Trump’s criminal charges, stating that they reflect an alleged effort to “perpetuate himself in power and prevent the lawful winner of the 2020 presidential election from taking office,” adding that “the charged crimes strike at the heart of our democracy.”
Trump’s Bid for Trial Delay
Trump’s lawyers had asked the justices to halt the trial proceedings pending their bid for the full slate of judges on the D.C. Circuit to reconsider the case, and, if necessary, an appeal to the Supreme Court. Smith argued that granting such a request would serve only to unnecessarily postpone Trump’s trial.
Trump’s Immunity Claims
Trump, who served in the White House from 2017 to 2021 and has become the first former president to be criminally prosecuted, has made sweeping claims of immunity both while in office and since leaving the White House. The Supreme Court in December declined Smith’s request to decide the immunity claim even before the D.C. Circuit ruled.
Special Counsel’s Appointment and Trump’s Legal Battles
Smith was appointed by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022 to investigate Trump’s actions in the aftermath of the 2020 election and his retention of classified documents after leaving the White House in 2021. Trump faces four criminal cases, with a March 4 trial date for Trump in federal court in Washington on four criminal counts pursued by Smith in the election subversion case being postponed.
Trump’s False Claims and Accusations
Trump and his allies made false claims that the 2020 election was stolen and devised a plan to use false electors to thwart congressional certification of Biden’s victory. The indictment accused Trump of conspiring to defraud the United States, obstructing the congressional certification of Biden’s electoral victory, and conspiring against the right of Americans to vote.
