'No rush': Internet divided as SCOTUS agrees to hear Trump's immunity claim in election subversion case

WASHINGTON, DC: The US Supreme Court has agreed to determine the immunity of former President Donald Trump from prosecution regarding the charges related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, reported ABC News.

On Wednesday, February 28, justices revealed their intention to consider the Republican frontrunner's arguments regarding absolute presidential immunity during the week of April 22.

The decision will prolong the delay of the January 6 criminal trial under investigation by special counsel Jack Smith. The prosecution was already on hold as the former president pursued immunity claims in lower courts.

Two courts have already denied Trump's immunity arguments, the recent one being the DC Court of Appeals, which unanimously ruled against the ex-president.

As per Wednesday's order, the court will look into the question of "whether and if so to what extent does a former president enjoy presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts during his tenure in office."

Closing in on securing the GOP nomination for the 2024 presidential election following a decisive win in the Michigan primary, the former president now confronts a total of 91 charges across four indictments.

These charges encompass accusations of attempting to overturn the 2020 election outcome, allegedly inciting the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, falsifying business records tied to hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, and mishandling classified documents.

Donald Trump celebrates SCOTUS decision

Trump expressed his delight over the Supreme Court's decision on his Truth Social platform.

"Legal Scholars are extremely thankful for the Supreme Court's Decision today to take up Presidential Immunity. Without Presidential Immunity, a President will not be able to properly function, or make decisions, in the best interest of the United States of America," he wrote.

"Presidents will always be concerned, and even paralyzed, by the prospect of wrongful prosecution and retaliation after they leave office. This could actually lead to the extortion and blackmail of a President. The other side would say, 'If you don't do something, just the way we want it, we are going to go after you when you leave office, or perhaps even sooner,'" Trump added.

The SCOTUS decision came around two weeks after special counsel Smith urged the Apex court to deny Trump's request to delay the trial in the election subversion case and move more quickly.

In early February, Judge Tanya Chutkan, who oversees the election interference case, suspended the March 4 trial date amid the ex-Presidnet's frequent claims for presidential immunity.

Internet split over Supreme Court decision

Netizens had mixed responses to the SCOTUS decision to hear Trump's immunity claims. While some had no urgency, another group wanted to resolve the issue soon for a fair election.

One user wrote, "No rush." Another user remarked, "Should be quick and easy to decide the president is still a citizen and the laws apply to him just as they do everyone else." [sic] 

"Finally the Supreme Court will do its job!" one more user opined. While a user said, "Justice delayed (for Trump) is Justice denied (for American people)!"

One individual claimed, "This is just another delay tactic by trump [sic]. He knows what he did but doesn’t respect the law. His actions demonstrate that he thinks he is better than everyone and is above the law. The Court if do their job will say he can be prosecuted."

Another individual remarked, "He should be a free man so we can have an interesting election season."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.