In a move that is causing yet another delay in one of his trials, former President Donald Trump's attorneys are asking a federal appeals court to push back the defamation trial brought by E. Jean Carroll. The trial, which is set to take place next month, is being postponed as Trump's legal team explores other options, including potentially taking the case to the Supreme Court.
The decision to delay the trial stems from a ruling by a federal appeals court that Trump waited too long to invoke an immunity defense against the defamation allegations. These allegations are related to statements he made while in office. This ruling could potentially lead to a further backlog on the Supreme Court's docket, which is already piling up with cases involving Trump.
Furthermore, this trial delay adds to an already crowded campaign year calendar, leaving little room for the proceedings. Trump's request to the appeals court is to grant him an additional 90 days to consider his options. These options include seeking a review from the full appeals court in New York or taking the case directly to the Supreme Court.
E. Jean Carroll's defamation suit revolves around statements made by Trump during his presidency. The trial judge had previously ruled that Trump had waited too long to raise the defense of presidential immunity. This delay prompted the appeals court to uphold the trial judge's decision. Now, the appeals court must make a decision on whether to entertain Trump's request for more time or allow the trial to proceed as scheduled on January 16th.
Notably, Carroll's legal team has vehemently opposed any delays, citing the age of both defendants, who are both in their late 70s. They argue that justice needs to be served promptly. It is worth mentioning that Trump has already been found liable for defamation and faced accusations of sexual assault in a separate lawsuit brought by Carroll. This upcoming trial will mainly focus on determining the extent of damages Trump will be required to pay. The jury has previously awarded Carroll $5 million, but she is now seeking more than $10 million in this new action.
In a larger context, this case raises questions about the limitations of presidential power and what actions can or cannot be taken by a sitting president. It is reminiscent of another prominent case currently under consideration by the Supreme Court. As the trial date approaches, the outcome of this trial and its potential impact on future proceedings remains to be seen.
