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“7 stories to know” is a new Monday series showcasing stories that may have been ignored in the crush of news over the past few weeks, and stories that have continued to evolve over the weekend. Expect to read coverage about health, science, and climate that frequently take second chair to what’s happening at the top of the page, plus information from local sources that the national media may have overlooked.
1. Trump’s immunity argument goes to the Supreme Court
In February, it looked as if Donald Trump’s first criminal trial would be for election interference in U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan’s Washington, D.C., courtroom. However, despite a unanimous and scathing decision by the appeals court, the Supreme Court surprised many observers on Feb. 28 when it agreed to take up Trump’s appeal for complete immunity from prosecution for acts that he took while in office.
Chutkan denied Trump’s request to dismiss the charges, but knowing that Trump would appeal, special counsel Jack Smith requested in December that the Supreme Court take up the issue, but the justices refused. As expected, Trump appealed.
It was in the arguments before the appeals court that Trump’s legal team made some of the most amazing claims in legal history. When Judge Florence Pan asked if a president could order “SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival,” Trump’s attorney responded that a president could not be charged unless first impeached and removed by Congress. In office, he could literally get away with anything.
It took six weeks for the appeals court to rule. Then the Supreme Court pondered the matter for two additional weeks before issuing an unsigned order agreeing to hear the case.
Now oral arguments over Trump’s claims are being heard on the last day of the session. A ruling is not anticipated until June. Meaning that no matter what the court decides, it has done its part to give Trump months of delays.
