U.S. prosecutors, led by Special Counsel Jack Smith, have contested Donald Trump‘s assertion of presidential immunity in a criminal case accusing him of mishandling classified documents post-White House tenure.
Smith’s move aims to preempt any attempt by Trump to delay the trial process, especially given the upcoming Supreme Court deliberations on a separate immunity case related to Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
In a court filing, Smith argued that Trump’s immunity claim lacks merit and is merely a tactic to prolong the trial. He emphasized that the charged conduct occurred after Trump left the White House, challenging the notion of immunity for official actions.
Prosecutors assert that the documents in question are critical to national security, undermining Trump’s claim of personal record designation.
The legal battle escalates as prosecutors respond to dismissal motions filed by Trump and his co-defendants, Walt Nauta and Carlos de Oliveira. Amid allegations of selective targeting, comparisons between Trump’s case and a similar incident involving President Joe Biden emerge, albeit with different outcomes.
While Trump contends that the charges stem from official decisions made during his presidency, prosecutors argue that the documents are not personal records and relate to national security matters. This discrepancy forms the crux of the legal dispute, as Smith’s team strives to prevent trial delays.
The filing also addresses comparisons with Biden’s case, where a different special counsel concluded that while there was evidence of wrongdoing, criminal charges were not pursued due to cooperation and the difficulty of obtaining a conviction.
However, Smith maintains that Trump’s alleged obstructive efforts warrant prosecution, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle.
