In a recent development, lawyers representing former President Donald Trump have urged the Supreme Court to postpone considering whether he has presidential immunity from prosecution for federal crimes related to attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden. Trump's legal team objected to Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith's request to fast track the issue, accusing him of leveraging the situation for political gain and to aid President Joe Biden's reelection prospects.

In a filing submitted on Wednesday, Trump's attorneys argued against bypassing the ordinary procedures and granting prior consideration by at least one court of appeals. They proposed that the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., should hear their client's appeal of a trial court judge's ruling that he lacks immunity. Furthermore, they pointed out that the appeals court had already granted Smith an expedited review of President Trump's appeal, and the final legal briefs are scheduled to be filed by January 2, followed by oral arguments on January 9.

The case stems from an earlier ruling by D.C. federal district court Judge Tanya Chutkan, who held that Trump does not possess absolute immunity from prosecution, despite being in office during the alleged crimes. Immediately after the ruling, Trump promptly appealed to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. However, Smith's subsequent request to expedite the appeal and have the Supreme Court take up the case aims to resolve the matter swiftly enough to potentially enable Trump's criminal trial to commence as planned in March.

In response, Trump's legal team seeks to delay the appeal, potentially pushing the trial date past the 2024 presidential election. As of now, Judge Chutkan is unable to take any action on the case due to the pending appeal. In their Supreme Court filing, Trump's lawyers contested Smith's proposal, emphasizing that he failed to provide a compelling reason for the accelerated timetable. They further argued that Smith's eagerness to expedite the process insinuates partisan motivation, as Trump is currently the leading candidate and the only serious opponent to the current administration in the upcoming presidential campaign.

It is important to note that if Trump's appeal is unsuccessful at the D.C. Circuit Court, he is expected to turn to the Supreme Court to overturn Judge Chutkan's ruling. Notably, three of the nine Supreme Court justices were appointed by Trump. The former president has pleaded not guilty in this case, as well as in three other criminal cases filed against him earlier this year.

The outcome of this legal battle will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for Trump's political future, particularly as he remains the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. The decision on whether to grant Trump presidential immunity from prosecution for crimes related to the 2020 election will set a significant precedent in the realm of presidential authority and accountability.

As the case continues to unfold, the nation eagerly awaits the next steps in this high-stakes legal dispute. All eyes remain on the Supreme Court, which holds the power to shape the future trajectory of Trump's legal battles and potentially influence the upcoming presidential campaign.