Washington, Dec 12: In an unprecedented move, Special Counsel Jack Smith has personally petitioned the US Supreme Court to determine whether former President Donald Trump should face criminal prosecution for alleged crimes during his presidency. Any exemption is available. It is the first time in the country’s history that the Supreme Court will consider the historic prosecution of a former president.
Overseeing two criminal investigations against Trump, Smith sought an expedited decision from the Supreme Court on Trump’s immunity from federal prosecution. The court has agreed to consider the request and has directed Trump’s legal team to respond by December 20. However, the justices gave no indication of the timeline or manner in which they would ultimately rule.
Trump faces trial in March 2024 on federal charges related to an alleged scheme to overturn the 2020 election results. Smith’s unusual direct appeal to the Supreme Court is intended to bypass lower courts, ensuring that the March 4, 2024 trial date remains unaffected.
The special counsel emphasized the seriousness of the situation, saying, “This case presents a fundamental question at the core of our democracy: whether a former president has absolute or constitutional immunity from federal prosecution for crimes committed while in office.” Smith asserted that Trump’s claims of presidential immunity are “seriously false” and argued that only the Supreme Court can definitively resolve these issues.
In the indictment related to the 2020 election case, Trump is charged with four felonies, including conspiracy to defraud the US government. Additionally, he faces several legal challenges, including a second case brought by Smith accusing him of mishandling classified material after leaving the White House. The outcome of these legal proceedings has significant implications for the limits of presidential immunity and the accountability of former leaders.
