A federal appeals court has made a ruling that former President Donald Trump is not immune from criminal prosecution on charges that he attempted to reverse the 2020 election results. The decision comes after Trump’s attempt to dismiss the case based on presidential immunity grounds, which was made in hopes of delaying the trial date. The court rejected his claim and categorically rejected his position that he could only be prosecuted if he had been convicted in a Senate impeachment trial first.
The three-judge panel at the US court of appeals for the DC circuit cited that they cannot accept former President Trump’s claim that a President has unbounded authority to commit crimes that would neutralize the most fundamental check on executive power. The panel gave Trump until 12 February to inform the DC circuit that he will appeal to the US supreme court. Trump’s defeat was expected after his appellate lawyer consistently found himself on the defensive when arguing before the three-judge panel. The court’s ruling is consequential as it potentially prevents him from delaying the trial until after the 2024 presidential election in a strategic legal move.
Trump’s attempt to dismiss the federal election interference case has been rejected, paving the way for the trial to resume pre-trial proceedings. His preference is for the trial to occur as close to election day as possible because he could use that as political ammunition to claim the charges were political in nature. This ruling has significant implications and is seen as a significant development in the legal battles Trump is currently facing.