Trump Arrives At Washington D.C. Court For Immunity Hearing

Former President Donald Trump has arrived at the Washington D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to hear oral arguments on whether he is immune from prosecution on election subversion charges in the case brought by Department of Justice Special Council Jack Smith.

• Trump’s appearance, which wasn’t mandated by the court, is likely a part of a broader Trump strategy, utilised throughout 2023, to shift media focus onto his court appearances and divert attention from Republican campaigning ahead of the Iowa caucuses on Monday.
• Politico reported earlier today: “Whatever the D.C. Circuit decides, the Supreme Court is likely to have the final word on the issue. District Court Judge TANYA CHUTKAN struck down the Trump team’s immunity claim last month, and how that question is resolved — and how quickly — will determine whether Trump stands trial in the case this year.”
• The Washington Post notes: "...the case raises a novel issue for the courts, which have never before been asked whether a former president is immune from federal criminal prosecution."
• Politico notes: “The political press corps would normally be hyper-focused on the final days of campaigning by the candidates in Iowa this week. Instead, all eyes will be on Trump’s courtroom appearance today — and again on Thursday, when Trump says he will attend the closing arguments in his civil fraud trial in New York.”