Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) has taken action to oppose Special Counsel Jack Smith’s move to bypass the appellate court in his case against former President Trump. A brief was filed at the US Supreme Court to halt this maneuver, with Alabama and 18 other states joining in support of President Trump.
In a tweet, Attorney General Andrew Bailey stated, “The DOJ’s attempt to accelerate the prosecution is blatantly partisan, and SCOTUS must reject it.” President Trump urged the US Supreme Court to reject Jack Smith’s request to expedite the ruling on his immunity argument.
Jack Smith had asked the US Supreme Court to weigh in on Trump’s immunity claims, skipping over the appellate court in the process. In light of this, Trump’s lawyers argued that he is immune from federal prosecution for alleged crimes committed while he was President of the United States.
In September, Trump was hit with four counts in Jack Smith’s January 6 case in DC. These counts included conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
“This case presents a fundamental question at the heart of our democracy: whether a former President is absolutely immune from federal prosecution for crimes committed while in office,” Smith wrote in a recent filing. However, Trump’s lawyers asked the Supreme Court to reject Jack Smith’s appeal, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the case and its significance in American history.
The Supreme Court signaled an expedited consideration of the case, with a brief order indicating its intention to do so. However, the court’s order did not provide any indication of its ultimate decision. The Supreme Court is set to meet next on January 5, 2024, according to reports.
This move by the Attorney General and other states to oppose Smith’s attempt to bypass the appellate court is part of the ongoing legal battle surrounding Trump’s immunity from prosecution. With the Supreme Court set to consider this case on an expedited basis, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the legal standing of former presidents and the limits of federal prosecution. As the case continues to unfold, it is clear that the legal and political implications will be substantial.
