U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has given special counsel Jack Smith a week to file a motion explaining why former President Donald Trump should not have presidential immunity for election subversion crimes.
On Monday, Trump asked the high court to pause an appeals court ruling that said he did not have immunity from prosecution.
"We cannot accept that the office of the Presidency places its former occupants above the law for all time thereafter," a three-judge panel explained.
Trump's attorneys have said the Supreme Court should move forward carefully.
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"President Trump's claim that presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for their official acts presents a novel, complex, and momentous question that warrants careful consideration on appeal," Trump's filing said.
Roberts said Smith's response must be filed by Feb. 20.
Former Manhattan District Attorney Catherine Christian told MSNBC that Roberts appeared to be moving the case along swiftly.
Christian said Roberts' response was "a good sign that whatever decision the Supreme Court makes, it will hopefully be expedited."