Supreme Court asks special counsel for response to Trump bid to block immunity ruling

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued an order requiring that special counsel Jack Smith respond to former President Donald Trump's request that the high court block a D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rulings rejecting his presidential immunity claims.

The court set a deadline for Smith's reply of Feb. 20, The Hill reported. He may, however, submit his reply earlier.

Trump on Monday asked the Supreme Court to intervene in the immunity dispute after the three judge panel of the appeals court ruled against him. In August of 2023, Smith indicted Trump on counts 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, however, argued that he enjoys presidential immunity in the case. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan rejected his claims but paused the case while Trump's appeal plays out. Smith had asked the Supreme Court to intervene ahead of the appeals court, though it declined to do so.

Trump's trial was originally scheduled for March 4, though Chutkan has since postponed proceedings in light of the ongoing appeal.

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