Special Counsel Jack Smith is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to swiftly reject former President Donald Trump's bid to delay his trial over alleged interference in the 2020 election. Smith's appeal comes in response to Trump's legal team's request for an extension as the court evaluates the former president's claim of immunity for official acts conducted during his tenure.
The charges, filed by Smith's team in August, accuse Trump of orchestrating a conspiracy to subvert the 2020 presidential election results. Trump's defense contends that his presidential actions are shielded from prosecution, a stance that faces scrutiny as no former president has previously been indicted.
Both a district court judge and a federal appeals court panel have dismissed Trump's immunity claim, maintaining that his actions do not warrant protection from legal proceedings. Trump's subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court prompted Chief Justice John Roberts to request a response from Smith, who complied within just two days.
In his 40-page submission, Smith argued against granting Trump's request, emphasizing the significant public interest in promptly addressing charges that accuse a former president of undermining the democratic electoral process. "The national interest in resolving those charges without further delay is compelling," Smith's filing stated, according to AP News.
The ongoing immunity litigation has already resulted in the postponement of the trial, initially scheduled for March 4. The Supreme Court's decision on Trump's appeal could significantly impact the timing of the trial, potentially aligning it with the 2024 presidential election, in which Trump may seek a second term.
This isn't the first instance of Smith seeking expedited action from the Supreme Court on this matter. In December, he requested the court's intervention before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals had concluded its review. Despite allowing the appeals process to unfold, the Supreme Court now faces Smith's call for a swift rejection of Trump's immunity claim to avoid further delays and ensure the case proceeds efficiently.
