Supreme Court Leaves Arguments on Trump Immunity to Appeals Court

The Supreme Court said it wouldn’t intervene before an appeals court acts on Donald Trump’s claim that he is immune from prosecution over efforts he took as president to overturn the 2020 election.

The high court’s denial of a request from special counsel Jack Smith, announced in a one-sentence order, increases the chances that the former president’s trial on charges that he interfered in the 2020 election will be delayed beyond its scheduled March 4 starting date.

The court’s move leaves the issue in the hands of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which has scheduled expedited proceedings. Trump’s appeals brief is due Saturday, and the government will have until Dec. 30 to file a response. Arguments before the D.C. Circuit are set for Jan. 9, and the losing party will likely appeal to the Supreme Court after the intermediate court rules.