Special counsel asks Supreme Court to reject Trump request to keep trial paused during appeal

Special counsel Jack Smith on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to reject former President Donald Trump's request to keep his case on holding while the appeals process continues over his presidential immunity claims.

Trump on Monday requested that the Supreme Court temporarily stay the decision of a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals that rejected his arguments. Trump has not officially asked the court to hear the case, merely to keep its proceedings on pause. On Tuesday, the court asked Smith for a response, which he submitted well ahead of the Feb. 20 deadline.

"Delay in the resolution of these charges threatens to frustrate the public interest in a speedy and fair verdict — a compelling interest in every criminal case and one that has unique national importance here, as it involves federal criminal charges against a former President for alleged criminal efforts to overturn the results of the Presidential election, including through the use of official power," his team wrote, according to The Hill. He further urged the court to expedite the case should they consider his claims so as to minimize the impact on scheduling.

Trump faces 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, but argued he is immune from prosecution in the case on the grounds of presidential immunity. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan initially rejected his arguments but pause proceedings in the case while Trump's appeal progressed.

The original trial date was set for March 4, though Chutkan has officially postponed the start date and Trump's appeal remains unresolved. Smith had initially asked the Supreme Court to intervene ahead of the appeals court, though it declined to do so.

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