In a significant development, a group of former officials who previously served under Republican presidents have appealed to a federal appeals court to dismiss Donald Trump's claim of "absolute immunity" in criminal proceedings. Filing an amicus brief accepted by the Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia on Tuesday, these officials argued that supporting Trump's claim would set a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging future presidents to commit crimes and stage coups to cling to power.

The officials emphasized that neither the Constitution nor any legal precedent supports Trump's assertion of criminal immunity. They pointed out that such a stance could undermine the foundations of the Constitution itself. The former officials expressed their concerns regarding the ramifications of accepting Trump's argument, highlighting how it could embolden defeated presidents to engage in criminal conduct as a means to prevent a smooth transfer of power to their duly-elected successors.

The amicus brief also referenced reports indicating that some of Trump's allies were encouraging him to utilize the military to enforce his unfounded claims surrounding the 2020 election. The group warned that if Trump's claims were upheld, future presidents who lose reelection might even resort to deploying armed federal agents or the military to orchestrate a coup. The officials stressed that these terrifying possibilities are not merely speculative scenarios but real threats to the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution.

It is worth noting that Special Counsel Jack Smith had earlier alleged that Trump conspired to obstruct Congress and maintain his hold on power after losing the election to Joe Biden. Trump, on his part, has argued in court that he cannot be criminally charged for actions taken during his presidency. However, the group of GOP officials highlighted the weakness of Trump's defense, claiming it would create a perilous precedent that could endanger the rule of law.

Currently, the trial is under the purview of District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, who has already ruled that Trump is not immune from prosecution. Disappointed with this ruling, Trump has now appealed to the Court of Appeals. Meanwhile, Smith attempted to expedite the proceedings by urging the Supreme Court to intervene and prevent any delays in the scheduled spring trial. However, the Supreme Court declined to fast-track a ruling, instead deferring to the Court of Appeals to issue a decision first before considering any further action.