Donald Trump Floats Unprecedented Legal Move to Delay Trial
Former president Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to intervene in his ongoing criminal trial, floating an alternative legal strategy that could push proceedings past the 2024 election.
As the special counsel’s case against Trump over efforts to overturn the 2020 election results moves forward, his legal team has ramped up efforts to delay or derail the prosecution. In a new filing, Trump’s attorneys argue he should be granted full immunity from criminal charges stemming from his time in office. But they also suggest the high court could send the case back to lower courts for more proceedings if unwilling to accept that expansive view, a move that would postpone a trial.
Appealing to Key Justice’s Past
In making their case, Trump’s lawyers repeatedly cite past statements from Justice Brett Kavanaugh regarding criminal investigations of sitting presidents. They argue the logic that such probes could undermine a president’s ability to govern also applies to former occupants of the Oval Office. By framing the issue as one with consequences for all future presidents, Trump seeks to pressure the conservative-majority court as it considers unprecedented questions around presidential immunity.
With oral arguments scheduled for next month, the Supreme Court faces balancing the complex legal issues with the tight timeline before a potential 2024 election showdown. Its decision could shape not only Donald Trump’s political future but the limits of presidential power for generations to come.
