In a major change of legal strategy, former President Donald Trump will not be present at the Supreme Court when the justices hear arguments on Thursday regarding whether he should be removed from the Colorado ballot. This decision marks a departure from his recent approach, as he notably attended the E. Jean Carroll defamation case where he made frequent courtroom appearances.
Trump's absence from the upcoming Supreme Court session is seen as a significant shift, considering he has previously utilized these appearances as campaign events, seizing the opportunity to highlight claims of election interference and political persecution. This change in strategy indicates the careful approach being taken by Trump and his legal team in handling these pivotal arguments before the highest court in the United States, a court in which he appointed one-third of the sitting justices.
Sources close to Trump have emphasized the high stakes involved in this case, explaining that attending the arguments lacks any upside for him. There are concerns that his previous courtroom behavior, such as storming out and muttering, may have proven unhelpful in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case and the New York civil fraud case. Advisors claim that logistical reasons underpin Trump's absence, as the Nevada caucuses are scheduled for Thursday night, implying he will likely be visiting a caucus site and delivering a victory speech following his expected win in the state.
While Trump's advisors assert that the decision not to attend was primarily logistical, some speculate about the possibility of him attending both events given the three-hour time difference between Nevada and the Supreme Court arguments. However, a senior advisor confirmed that this was not a difficult decision and that priority was being given to Trump's political endeavors, specifically focusing on securing his nomination as the Republican candidate.
Regarding the outcome of the Supreme Court case, there appears to be varying levels of confidence. Trump's campaign and legal team express a fairly high level of confidence, believing their position is legally solid compared to some of the other legal issues he is currently facing. However, Trump himself has privately expressed concern that the justices, particularly those he appointed, may not side with him to avoid appearing biased. It should be noted that there is no indication of any potential bias, but this concern has been voiced by Trump privately.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on Thursday, the absence of Trump from the proceedings represents a departure from his previous approach to legal matters. The decision not to attend is seen as a calculated move by Trump and his team, prioritizing his political aspirations. The outcome of the case remains uncertain, but both Trump's campaign and legal team maintain a degree of confidence, while acknowledging the sensitivity surrounding the involvement of the justices Trump had appointed himself.
