Last week, the Supreme Court rejected special counsel Jack Smith’s bid to expedite the consideration of Donald Trump’s claim of presidential immunity in the case charging him with election-obstruction crimes.
This decision complicates Trump’s legal battles, with potential repercussions for the 2024 presidential race.
Refusal to expedite: Implications for 2024 race
Smith emphasized the urgency, asserting that “the public interest required intervention now to avoid delaying Trump’s D.C. federal trial.”
The refusal to expedite may hinder American voters from learning about potential felonies committed by a major-party presidential candidate before casting their ballots in 2024.
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Unveiling election interference: The Michigan phone call
A day before the Supreme Court’s decision, news emerged of a taped phone call from Nov. 17, 2020, in which Trump pressured Michigan election officials not to certify vote totals in Wayne County.
Trump, along with RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, urged officials not to certify results favoring Joe Biden.
The call underscores the extent of Trump’s efforts to alter the 2020 election outcome.
Trump pressures GOP officials, alleges election fraud in Wayne County
Trump pressured Monica Palmer and William Hartmann, Republican elections authorities, claiming they’d look “terrible” if they certified Biden’s win in Wayne County.
He alleged election fraud, insisting, “Everybody knows Detroit is crooked as hell.”
McDaniel reinforced the message, emphasizing that without an audit, “the public would ‘never know what happened in Detroit.’”
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Wayne County officials’ reversal raises election certification concerns
Palmer and Hartmann initially voted against certifying the county’s election but later changed their stance.
If Trump’s intervention had succeeded, it could have thrown “the statewide certification of Michigan’s 2020 election into doubt,” according to reports.
Trump’s mystical connection with supporters
Despite revelations about the Michigan call, an article in the Boston Globe suggests that Trump’s supporters remain unwavering.
Many, like Joannie Firkins, view Trump as appointed by God and the only truth-teller, despite distrust in government, institutions, and Biden.
Trump’s connection with his supporters is quasi-religious, shaping their worldview.
Poll: Trump’s conviction, impact on supporters and nomination
While revelations like the Michigan call may not sway Trump’s core supporters, a criminal conviction could.
A New York Times/Siena College poll suggests that if Trump were convicted, nearly one-quarter of his current supporters would not want him as the Republican nominee.
Additionally, 45 percent of Republicans wouldn’t vote for Trump if convicted, and some supporters even express a desire for him to “go to prison.”
Trump’s legal maneuvers and Supreme Court’s role
Recognizing the potential impact, Trump is working to delay or derail the trial scheduled for March 4 in Washington, D.C.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to expedite consideration of Trump’s immunity claim becomes crucial in shaping the trajectory of his legal battles.
Road ahead: Public interest and legal proceedings
Smith underscores the public interest in swift legal proceedings to determine if Trump committed a crime.
A conviction could alter the dynamics of the 2024 race, as polls indicate a significant portion of Trump’s supporters might reconsider their allegiance in the face of a criminal conviction.
The Supreme Court’s decision adds layers of uncertainty to Trump’s legal challenges, with potential ramifications for the political landscape leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
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