Former President Donald Trump has asked a Florida court to partially pause the classified documents case against him following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that affords presidents substantial immunity for official acts during their tenure.
Trump’s legal team argues this Supreme Court decision should apply to his case, and his lawyers now seek to pause proceedings except for those related to a gag order, as Fox News reports.
Trump's lawyers have based their request on a new Supreme Court ruling that provides presidents with significant immunity for official actions while in office. In a filing submitted on Friday, they asked the court to suspend all activities in the classified documents case, apart from those connected to Special Counsel Jack Smith's request for a gag order.
The filing emphasizes that a prosecutor cannot indirectly lead a jury to scrutinize acts covered by presidential immunity to establish liability on any charge.
“Consistent with President Trump’s pending motion to dismiss based on Presidential immunity, the Supreme Court explained in Trump that it would ‘eviscerate the immunity we have recognized’ if a prosecutor could 'do indirectly what he cannot do directly — invite the jury to examine acts for which a President is immune from prosecution to nonetheless prove his liability on any charge,’” reads the court document.
Trump shared his thoughts on the legal battle on Truth Social, where he criticized Jack Smith and other officials involved in the prosecution. He claimed, “Today, as in the past, the Supreme Court gave the Deranged One a high level SPANKING! His ‘real’ bosses, Andrew Weissmann and Lisa Monaco, not to mention Merrick Garland, whose once great reputation has been shattered by these Thugs, and his constant defense of Crooked Joe, must be furious at him.”
Chief Justice John Roberts clarified in the Supreme Court ruling that presidents have no immunity for unofficial acts. "The President enjoys no immunity for his unofficial acts, and not everything the President does is official," Roberts stated.
The classified documents case against Trump includes 37 felony counts stemming from Smith's investigation. These charges range from the willful retention of national defense information to conspiracy to obstruct justice and false statements. Trump also faces an additional three counts detailed in a superseding indictment, with accusations including willful retention of national defense information and further obstruction charges.
Last month, arguments were presented concerning the legality of Smith's appointment and the gag order requested by prosecutors. Trump's lawyers contended that restricting his speech would infringe upon his free speech rights. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon heard these arguments on June 24 but has not yet made a decision regarding the gag order request.
The Supreme Court decision in Trump v. United States established substantial immunity for official acts but did not address unofficial acts. The matter was sent back to a lower court in a 6-3 decision without applying the ruling to Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
According to Trump's legal team, the recent Supreme Court ruling must now be applied to the facts of his case. They believe this application is crucial for their client’s defense strategy, which hinges on the distinction between official and unofficial presidential acts.
In conclusion, Trump has requested a partial pause in his classified documents case, citing a Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity. His legal team seeks a halt to all proceedings except those connected to the gag order.
Trump voiced criticisms against those involved in his prosecution on social media. The Supreme Court ruling emphasizes immunity for official acts and delineates the limits of this immunity. The classified documents case presents significant legal challenges, with arguments over free speech rights and the proper application of presidential immunity continuing to play out in court.
