‘The resolution of the question presented is pivotal to whether the former President himself will stand trial.’
Special counsel Jack Smith told the U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 21 that former President Donald Trump is “misguided” to ask the high court to review his case on a regular, rather than expedited, schedule.
Mr. Smith, who’s prosecuting President Trump in two separate federal criminal cases, urged the Supreme Court to review a key defense in one of those cases on an expedited basis on Dec. 11.
President Trump opposed the request on Dec. 20, arguing it brings up issues for the presidency for the first time in the nation’s history and that the case should be slowed down.
The prosecutors cited the same issues as a reason to speed up the case.
“The charges here are of the utmost gravity. This case involves—for the first time in our Nation’s history—criminal charges against a former President based on his actions while in office,” the prosecutors stated in their response. “And not just any actions: alleged acts to perpetuate himself in power by frustrating the constitutionally prescribed process for certifying the lawful winner of an election.”
“The Nation has a compelling interest” in weighing in on the