Supreme Court to hear arguments on Trump criminal immunity claims

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear arguments over former President Donald Trump's immunity claims in special counsel Jack Smith's D.C. election case.

The case is currently on hold and the Supreme Court's decision maintains the status quo in that respect, but set oral arguments for April 22, Politico reported.

Trump has argued he is immune from prosecution on grounds of presidential immunity. Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected those claims, prompting Trump to appeal her decision. Smith had sought intervention by the Supreme Court at the time, though it declined to rule ahead of the lower court. A three-judge panel then ruled against Trump, after which he asked the Supreme Court to stay that decision.

The decision to hear the matter, however, came at the urging of Smith, The Hill reported. With oral arguments slated for late April, a court decision could conceivably come mid-year and leave room for the trial to occur prior to the 2024 presidential election.

Smith indicted Trump in August of last year on charges of conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of, and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Initially set for March 4, Chutkan officially postponed the trial earlier this month until the immunity matter is settled. She paused the case in December after Trump filed his initial appeal.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.