What Donald Trump's Time in Prison Could Look Like
NewsweekNov 29, 2023
SCOTUS Asked to Rule on Whether Trump Can Be Prosecuted
Image copyright: Kjetil Ree via Wikimedia Commons
The Facts
Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked the US Supreme Court to review whether former Pres. Donald Trump can be prosecuted for crimes allegedly committed during his tenure in public office.
On Monday, Smith filed a six-page "writ of certiorari before judgment" petition to the country's top court, requesting an "expedited" review of a lower court's ruling. The special counsel continued that the motion contained an "issue of exceptional national importance."
The Spin
Anti-Trump narrative
The request attempts to keep the American legal system's schedule on track by bypassing the appellate process being used by Trump to delay his legal reckoning. Although an unusual procedure, there is precedent in Nixon's criminal trial. With creativity, Smith has undermined Trump's attempts to grind the American judicial system to a halt.
Pro-Trump narrative
Smith's attempt to rush a decision exposes a desire to bury the former president by the Spring of next year. With Super Tuesday set to occur a day after the start of Trump's March trial, it's no coincidence that the legal queries are being fast-tracked to undermine Trump's political campaign.