Former President Donald Trump has approached the Supreme Court to request a pause on a lower court’s decision that dismissed his extensive immunity claims from criminal prosecution in connection with the 2020 election. In a detailed 39-page filing on Monday, Trump’s legal team sought an emergency relief “stay” of a ruling by a three-judge panel in the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. This panel had rejected Trump’s argument for immunity from prosecution, stating that his status as a former president did not exempt him from facing charges related to attempts to unlawfully overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
The appeals court’s decision, which Trump’s attorneys called “a stunning breach of precedent and historical norms,” argues that executive immunity does not protect Trump against the prosecution led by Special Counsel Jack Smith. Trump’s legal team contends that this ruling, if not paused, would interfere with his campaign for the White House, arguing it poses grave First Amendment injuries and risks partisanship within the federal courts.
The request to the Supreme Court highlights the novelty of the issue regarding presidential immunity from federal charges and suggests that the criminal case against Trump should not proceed until this matter is fully resolved. Trump’s team is also preparing to request the full D.C. Circuit to reconsider the panel’s decision. The outcome of this request could have significant implications, as Trump’s legal battle over immunity continues to unfold, marking a historic moment in the nation’s legal and political landscape.
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