'Extraordinary request': SCOTUS urged to hear case in effort to keep Trump trial on track

Special counsel Jack Smith filed motions aimed at keeping Donald Trump's criminal trial on schedule to start in March 2024.

The special counsel's office filed the motions Monday with the U.S. Supreme Court and a Washington, D.C., federal appeals court seeking to fast-track a hearing of Trump's appeal of a ruling against his claim that he has presidential immunity from criminal prosecution, reported The Messenger.

"The public has a strong interest in this case proceeding to trial in a timely manner," prosecutors wrote. "The trial cannot proceed, however, before resolution before the defendant's interlocutory appeal.

"To further the imperative public interest in a timely trial, the Government seeks a full and timely resolution of the defendant's claims — that he is absolutely immune from federal prosecution from crimes committed while in office or is constitutionally protected from federal prosecution where he was impeached but not convicted before the criminal proceedings begin — before March 4, 2024."

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Prosecutors are seeking an expedited schedule for arguments to be made in his appeal, and to skip the appellate court entirely, to ensure the matter is quickly settled so that Trump can stand trial early next year in the election subversion case.

"The United States recognizes that this is an extraordinary request," prosecutors wrote. "This is an extraordinary case."