In the ongoing legal battle between former President Donald Trump and special counsel Jack Smith over the claim of presidential immunity, the next move lies with the special counsel. Smith is expected to file arguments in a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. by Saturday. However, the Supreme Court recently rejected Smith's request to address the immunity issue before the appeals process concludes.
Trump's legal team has already filed their arguments, asserting that the former president is immune from criminal prosecution because he was acting within his official duties around January 6th. The special counsel's reply is anticipated to be submitted on Saturday, and the appeals court will hear the arguments on January 9th. A swift decision on the issue is possible but unlikely, as the proceedings in the case have been paused, making it improbable that the trial will begin as scheduled on March 4th.
Trump's defense strategy heavily relies on delays, and this recent setback is considered a win for his team as they seek to clear the way for his 2024 campaign schedule. However, several other legal cases involving Trump loom on the horizon. A civil defamation case brought against Trump by E. Jean Carroll is set to start in mid-January, unless his legal team finds a way to further postpone it. Additionally, the criminal case regarding hush money payments led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is also scheduled to commence in March, although Bragg has expressed openness to changing the start date if necessary.
As Trump's legal team intensifies their efforts in the final days of 2023, they face an increasingly demanding workload in the beginning of 2024. The outcomes of these legal proceedings carry immense significance as they could establish precedents and shape the course of history, involving a prominent Republican presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, reports of threats against judges have emerged following the Supreme Court's ruling to remove Trump from the GOP primary ballot. Security around the judges has been heightened, with additional measures put in place by the Colorado State Patrol and coordination with the FBI and local authorities. The FBI is actively investigating the threats, which have escalated in recent years and have been linked to the former president's contentious rhetoric regarding judges and prosecutors.
The FBI is deploying its resources to address the elevated threat level against public officials, although the challenges of managing priorities and resource allocation exist. Nonetheless, the FBI is determined to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for such threats, given the heightened seriousness surrounding attacks on the judiciary.
The escalating threats against public officials underscore the need for robust measures to protect those in positions of power and maintain the integrity of the justice system. The FBI's scrutiny will shed light on the perpetrators while sending a clear message that such actions will be taken seriously and met with appropriate consequences.
