Trump’s immunity was debated in the Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments this Thursday about the criminal immunity that Donald Trump invoked as a former president, in a case in which both the speed and substance of his decision could weigh heavily on the campaign trail.

Because by deciding to take up the matter on February 28, the nation’s highest court further delayed the federal trial of the former Republican president for trying to illegally overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election won by Democrat Joe Biden.

The subject of four separate criminal proceedings, Donald Trump is seeking in his multiple appeals to be tried as late as possible, in any case after the November election.

His trial in New York over questionable payments during the 2016 campaign, which finally began on April 15, could be the only one that could reach an outcome before the vote.

Arguably the most difficult case, the 2020 federal election case being handled by special counsel Jack Smith, is on hold until the Supreme Court rules on the issue of the former president’s criminal immunity.

The defense argues that without such immunity the president would not be able to “properly perform his duties” and that none of Donald Trump’s predecessors have ever been prosecuted.