The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to review the claim asserting that Donald Trump is immune from prosecution in a criminal case related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, reported local news outlets.
The justices have scheduled oral arguments for the week of April 22 to examine a recent ruling by a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit, which had decisively dismissed Trump’s immunity argument earlier this month.
Trump’s criminal case will remain on hold until the Supreme Court ultimately rules on the matter.
The order said the court intended to address oral arguments “whether and if so to what extent does a former president enjoy presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct alleged to have involved official acts during his tenure in office.”
In the federal 2020 election case, special counsel Jack Smith accused Trump of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct the congressional certification of the election results, and of violating civil rights.
“A President will not be able to properly function, or make decisions, in the best interest of the United States of America,” wrote Trump on Truth Social after the Supreme Court announcement.
“Presidents will always be concerned, and even paralyzed, by the prospect of wrongful prosecution and retaliation after they leave office,” he added.