Last-Ditch Effort by Former President Donald Trump to Delay Subversion Case Rejected by Supreme Court
Former President fails to sway Supreme Court
In a 16-page filing, former President Donald Trump and his legal team made a desperate plea to the U.S. Supreme Court to postpone his federal election subversion case while he appeals whether he can be prosecuted for alleged crimes committed while in office. However, the Supreme Court swiftly denied his request, thereby allowing the case to proceed.
Accusation of Political Bias
Trump’s lawyers were quick to accuse special counsel Jack Smith of partisanship. Smith, in his earlier filing, appealed the Supreme Court to reject Trump’s request. Trump’s legal team claimed that Smith’s actions were politically motivated, aimed at convicting Trump before the upcoming November election, wherein he is the leading candidate against President Biden. They heatedly argued that such motivations contradicted the Justice Department’s policy of refraining from timing cases to interfere with elections.
Smith’s Response Stirs Controversy
Trump’s legal team further claimed that Smith’s response to their request “raises a compelling inference of a political motive.” They argued that Smith’s recent filing contradicted his earlier stance, in which he urged the Court to decide on the issues at hand. While Smith’s office and the other prosecutors involved in Trump’s criminal cases were deemed apolitical, Trump’s lawyers criticized his perceived focus on ruining Trump’s candidacy.
Supreme Court Decision to Follow
The Supreme Court is expected to render a decision on Trump’s emergency request in the near future. Should the Court reject Trump’s appeal, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan may resume proceedings and establish a new schedule. The trial was originally slated to commence on March 4.
Trump’s Bid to Delay Backfires
Trump’s attempt to delay the trial was submitted on Monday, with Smith’s response filed just two days later—six days before Chief Justice Samuel Alito’s deadline. This response from the Supreme Court came in the wake of a unanimous decision by a three-judge appeals panel on February 6, which determined that Trump does not possess presidential immunity in this specific criminal case. The panel emphasized that Trump, in the context of this case, is to be treated as “citizen Trump” and is entitled to the same defenses as any other criminal defendant.
