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The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a request by special counsel Jack Smith to fast-track arguments on whether Donald Trump has any immunity from federal prosecution for alleged crimes he committed while in office – a move that will likely delay his trial.
The court did not explain its reasoning and there were no noted dissents.
The court’s decision is a major blow to Smith, who made an extraordinary gamble when he asked the justices to take the rare step of skipping a federal appeals court and quickly deciding a fundamental issue in his election subversion criminal case against Trump.
Both sides will still have the option of appealing an eventual ruling by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals up to the high court, but the court’s move is a major victory for Trump, whose strategy of delay in the criminal case included mounting a protracted fight over the immunity question, which must be settled before his case goes to trial.
There’s a process, and the DC circuit is the next stop. Why didn’t the liberal justices dissent? This is fairly standard.
Yeah, keep that process in mind after Trump wins 2024, pardons himself and carries on with this concept of ironclad immunity for the presidential office. I’m sure it will be a real comfort knowing we did everything we could except expedit this incredibly exceptional circumstance.
I understand the wheels of justice grind slow, and so does trump. He’s weaponizing and banking on this for his escape maneuver, and that alone should put this case to priority #1.
Edit: and that’s before we even consider his defense: “maybe I’m immune from crimes committed during office, forever?” is not how this concept has ever been interpreted. It’s a ridiculous proposal with a simple response.