Former President Donald Trump is seeking a delay in the defamation trial brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, who accuses him of sexually abusing her in the 1990s. Trump denies the allegations and hopes that a federal appeals court will intervene.
In a 29-page filing submitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, Trump's legal team requested a postponement of the trial, currently scheduled for January 16, by up to 90 days. They argue that they need additional time to consider legal strategies, including the possibility of appealing to the Supreme Court based on Trump's claim of presidential immunity in the case.
In 2019, Carroll filed a lawsuit against Trump for his comments that year, made while he was president, in which he denied her allegations. In a separate lawsuit, a federal jury previously found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. This upcoming trial will focus on determining the amount of damages owed to Carroll specifically for Trump's 2019 comments.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled in September that Trump had defamed Carroll with his 2019 remarks.
Federal Appeals Court Rejects Trump's Assertion of Presidential Immunity
In a lawsuit that is still pending, the federal appeals court has rejected former President Donald Trump's assertion of presidential immunity. The court stated that Trump made the claim too late into the litigation.
Trump's attorneys have filed a motion stating that they are considering appealing the ruling to the Supreme Court. They have also highlighted Trump's criminal case in Washington, where special counsel Jack Smith has separately asked the Supreme Court to consider the immunity issue. Trump is facing four charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and remain in power. He has pleaded not guilty.
Smith has requested the justices to bypass a federal appeals court and make a quick decision on whether Trump is protected from criminal charges by presidential immunity. Trump's attorneys in the Carroll matter argue that the eventual decision could have an impact on Trump's civil case, further supporting their request for a delay.
"The significance of these issues is illustrated by, among other things, last week's filings with the Supreme Court by Special Counsel Jack Smith regarding President Trump's presidential immunity appeal arising from a criminal case in the District of Columbia," Trump's attorneys wrote. "That case is stayed pending resolution of the appeal, as this case should be, and the possibility that the Supreme Court may soon address President Trump's immunity further supports the requested stays."
Carroll's attorney declined to comment.
President Trump has refuted the accusations made by Carroll in both cases, as well as the criminal case in Washington. He has alleged that Carroll, Smith, and others are pursuing these claims against him due to political bias.
