The U.S. Court of Appeals has rejected former President Donald Trump’s claims of presidential immunity in a case related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. However, legal analyst Jonathan Turley believes that the Supreme Court is unlikely to expedite the trial before the upcoming elections. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the investigation, wants a speedy trial but some believe that concluding the case before the election could influence the political landscape.
Turley expressed doubts about the Supreme Court’s alignment with Smith’s urgency, stating, “The Supreme Court clearly didn’t share that urgency. It’s not clear they’re gonna feel even greater urgency now.” Despite the rejection of his claims, Trump maintains his innocence and argues that presidential immunity shields him from prosecution for actions taken while in office. Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, believes that not granting immunity to a president would threaten the functioning of future presidents.
Former federal prosecutor Michael McAuliffe views the Appeals Court decision as one of the most significant cases any court has ever entertained. Turley suggests that delaying the trial until after the 2024 election could be a strategy for the Trump team to minimize political impact and public scrutiny. Later this week, the Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding Trump’s eligibility to appear on the 2024 presidential ballot in Colorado.
Despite the immunity bid failure, Trump’s legal team intends to further appeal the decision and argue their case before the Supreme Court. The key question remains: will the Supreme Court prioritize Trump’s trial before the 2024 election as Special Counsel Smith desires? The timing of the trial could significantly impact the 2024 presidential race, energizing or demotivating both Trump supporters and opponents. Additionally, the Appeals Court ruling raises questions about the scope of presidential immunity and its impact on future presidential actions.
