AnalysisUS Supreme Court immunity case jeopardises Donald Trump trial before 2024 election
- Justices will hear arguments in late April on Trump claims of presidential immunity from prosecution
- It further delays the former US president’s trial on charges of conspiring to overturn the 2020 election
The US Supreme Court’s decision to take up Donald Trump’s bid for immunity from criminal prosecution raises the prospect that a trial to hold him accountable for trying to overturn the 2020 election could face a lengthy delay – potentially until after the November election.
With a ruling likely by the end of June, a trial this year remains a possibility, but with little margin for further setbacks.
“This could delay his trial, perhaps significantly,” said Ilya Somin, a professor of law at George Mason University. “It makes it less likely the trial will be done before the election.”
The timing is potentially crucial. Polls indicate a conviction of Trump could undercut the Republican front-runner’s bid to reclaim the White House.
And should Trump win election and become president before the matter is resolved, he could order the Justice Department to drop the case. Trump, who is facing four indictments, has pushed to delay any trial until after the election.