America's highest court announced on Wednesday that it had agreed to take up the issue of criminal immunity for Donald Trump as a former president. The debates will take place “during the week of April 22nd.”
Published on: 02/29/2024 – 01:42
2 minutes
Donald Trump he should benefit from a “absolute immunity” for his actions during his term as President of the UNITED STATES, while his defense hammers him? The US Supreme Court wants to address this question this Wednesday.
In an unsigned statement, the country's highest court said it would consider “whether and, if so, to what extent a former president enjoys presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for alleged official actions while in office.”
Multiplication of vocations
The former Republican president's trial for illegal attempts to overturn the results of the election won by Democrat Joe Biden was originally scheduled to begin on March 4.
But the big favorite in the Republican primaries for the presidential election in November is trying with his multiple appeals to go to court as late as possible, at least after the vote. Four different criminal charges are currently being filed against him.
But the entire process was put on hold while the question of criminal immunity demanded by Donald Trump was decided in court. On February 6, a federal appeals court struck down that criminal immunity. Donald Trump therefore turned to the Supreme Court to obtain a suspension of the entry into force of this decision.
Four criminal charges
By agreeing to take action, the Supreme Court is partially satisfying Donald Trump by not allowing the appeal decision to take effect until he makes his own decision. But in deciding to debate in April, a relatively short deadline, she also granted the request of special prosecutor Jack Smith, who wanted the court, if it were to take up the issue, to do so expeditiously.
But most legal and political commentators pointed out Wednesday evening that Donald Trump's delay strategy was a success, as the Supreme Court's decision further diminished the chances that the trial could take place before the presidential election, even if the nine justices voted his way Reject immunity. If he is re-elected after taking office in January 2025, he could order the federal case against him to be dropped.
Also read: USA: What legal proceedings are underway against Donald Trump?
(With AFP)