The Supreme Court will be hearing arguments this week on a case with significant legal and political implications: whether former President Donald Trump is immune from prosecution in a federal case that accuses him of plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The arguments are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. EDT on Thursday, April 25.

This case, besides potentially shaping the extent of presidential power, will also have a substantial impact on determining a trial date for Trump in one of the four criminal prosecutions he currently faces as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for 2024.

At stake is whether a former president can be immune from federal prosecution for official acts. Trump's lawyers argue in favor of absolute immunity for former presidents, warning about the potential floodgate of prosecutions against them if immunity is not granted. They also cite a previous Supreme Court ruling that grants immunity from civil liability for official acts, arguing that the same analysis should apply to criminal cases.

However, the special counsel's team contends that the Founding Fathers never intended for presidents to be above the law, and that the acts Trump is charged with, including participating in a scheme to enlist fake electors, do not fall within the scope of a president's official duties.

This unique legal question has made its way to the Supreme Court after Trump's lawyers first asked a trial judge overseeing the case to dismiss the indictment on the grounds of presidential immunity. Both the trial judge and an appeals court rejected Trump's claims, paving the way for the Supreme Court to now weigh in.

The Supreme Court has a range of options in deciding this case. They could reject Trump's immunity claim outright, allowing the prosecution to move forward and potentially setting a trial date. Alternatively, they may decide that former presidents cannot be prosecuted for conduct related to official acts during their time in office, effectively halting the current prosecution.

The court could also rule that some degree of immunity exists for former presidents, but determine that Trump's actions fall beyond the permissible line. Another possibility is that the case is sent back to the trial judge to determine whether the actions Trump is alleged to have taken constitute official acts.

The timing of the court's decision will have implications for a potential trial. If the court rules against Trump and in favor of the government, the case will be returned to the trial judge, who will then have the authority to set a trial date. However, due to previous delays and legal disputes, any trial would likely be months away and could potentially coincide with the November presidential election.

The trial's timing holds significant political ramifications for Trump, who could be forced to appear in court in the weeks leading up to the election. This could impact his campaign against President Biden if he secures the GOP nomination and wins the election. Trump's lawyers have argued that holding the trial during the election season would disrupt his ability to campaign effectively.

The Supreme Court's decision, whenever it comes, will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences not only for this specific case but also for the precedent it sets regarding the accountability of former presidents for their official acts.