Will Donald Trump be tried criminally before the November 5 election? We are approaching the outcome in the legal ping-pong game. The former president asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to stay an appeals ruling that said he did not have criminal immunity and could therefore be tried in Washington for his attempts to interfere with the verdict. ballot boxes during the 2020 presidential election.
This is the most important question that the Supreme Court could be called upon to decide, with that of the possible ineligibility of Donald Trump for which the body listened to the arguments of each camp last week.
Three possible scenarios
Three judges of a federal appeals court on February 6 dismissed the criminal immunity invoked by Donald Trump, reopening the way for his trial in Washington. The decision came into force on Monday, unless appealed to the Supreme Court. Donald Trump wants a suspension while he can ask the federal appeals court to rule in full, or refer the matter to the Supreme Court for arbitration on the merits.
According to constitutional law expert Steve Vladeck, three scenarios hold the string, with a decision which should be rendered quickly, probably within two weeks. The Supreme Court could reject Donald Trump’s appeal without explanation: this would mean that the court does not want to get involved, and that its trial could be held in the spring as planned. She could agree to suspend the decision, but by delaying the examination of the case on the merits: in this scenario, the trial of Donald Trump would undoubtedly take place this summer. Or she could agree to suspend the decision of the appeals court, and let the case drag on on its merits: if this were the case, the process would make a trial before the election impossible. And if he wins in November, Donald Trump could then ask his Justice Department to cancel the federal prosecution against him.