Former President Trump Urges Supreme Court to Deny Request for Consideration of Presidential Immunity
Washington — Former President Donald Trump urged the Supreme Court on Wednesday to deny a request from special counsel Jack Smith and decline to consider Trump's claims of presidential immunity from criminal prosecution before an appeals court can examine the matter.
Attorneys for the former president wrote in a filing with the high court that its ordinary review procedures will allow the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to address Trump's appeal first, with the benefit of the lower court's consideration of "historic topics."
The justices are currently weighing a request from Smith to bypass the D.C. Circuit and quickly decide whether Trump is fully shielded from criminal prosecution for charges stemming from his alleged attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty in the case.
"In 234 years of American history, no president ever faced criminal prosecution for his official acts. Until 19 days ago, no court had ever addressed whether immunity from such prosecution exists," Trump's legal team wrote. "To this day, no appellate court has addressed it. The question stands among the most complex, intricate, and momentous issues that this Court will be called on to decide."
According to sources, the special counsel has requested the Supreme Court to expedite the case and bypass the D.C. Circuit, prompting criticism that they are urging the high court to make hasty decisions without careful consideration.
In response, President Trump's legal team has raised multiple concerns about the request. They argue that the government does not have the legal right to appeal a ruling in its favor and emphasize that the indictment against Trump, issued by a federal grand jury in August, pertains to his political speech and advocacy during his time in office, specifically contesting the outcome of the 2020 election.
"While it is important for this Court to review an erroneous denial of presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts, it should not be done hastily," wrote lawyers John Sauer, John Lauro, and Todd Blanche. "Importance does not automatically warrant speed."
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
