Donald Trump wants the Supreme Court to stay a federal appeals court’s decision that he can be prosecuted for trying to influence the outcome of the 2020 election pending further challenge. The lawyers of the former American president submitted a request for this on Monday local time.
In an effort to stave off a lawsuit over fraud in the 2020 election, Trump argued that he would enjoy presidential immunity because he was still in office at the time. After a judge ruled in December that Trump can indeed be prosecuted, three judges of the federal appeals court in Washington DC today unanimously decided that the former head of state is not immune in this criminal case.
Trump’s lawyers have now asked the Supreme Court to suspend that judgment until the court hears the case on appeal or rejects an appeal. Monday was the last day to file such a request, otherwise the decision by three federal judges would go into effect.
The Supreme Court’s decision whether or not to grant the stay will determine whether there will be a trial against Trump for trying to influence the election outcome after his defeat by Democrat Joe Biden and how soon that would happen. Normally that trial would start on March 4, but the presiding judge Tanya Chutkan decided to postpone it for the time being to May 20.
Trump is the favorite to become the Republican candidate in this year’s presidential elections. The 77-year-old dismisses the allegations against him as an attempt by his political opponents to keep him off the ballot.
In court in Florida
Earlier on Monday, he appeared in court in Florida. It involved a hearing behind closed doors in connection with his handling of confidential documents. Trump and his entourage were welcomed by supporters at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce on Sunday morning. Five hours later the 77-year-old was able to leave again.
The former head of state is accused of continuing to keep confidential documents in his Florida home after leaving the White House, thereby endangering the security of the United States. The law requires that he should have handed over the papers to the National Archives.
Last year, Trump pleaded not guilty in the case. During Monday’s hearing, Trump’s lawyers requested access to the classified evidence to prepare their defense. The public prosecutor opposes this because it concerns sensitive documents.
The hearing on the merits of the case will start on May 20.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss anything from the stars.