On Monday, Special counsel Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court to quickly review a bid by former President Donald Trump to have the federal election interference charges against him dismissed. Citing its importance to the nation, Smith petitioned the high court to urgently rule on Trump’s argument that he enjoys sweeping immunity against charges he was at the center of a criminal conspiracy to fraudulently overturn his 2020 presidential election loss to Joe Biden.

Smith wrote in seeking an expedited review of the matter, “This case involves issues of exceptional national importance,” noting the former president’s trial is scheduled to begin on March 4. The counsel asked the Supreme Court take up the matter on a “certiorari” basis, urging it to consider the case before it is ruled on by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Smith said a quick ruling by the Supreme Court is necessary because the case is essentially frozen while a potentially lengthy appeals process is underway. If allowed to do so, the process could push the trial date beyond the 2024 presidential election, in which Trump is the frontrunner to again win the Republican Party nomination.

Trump is facing four counts accusing him of conspiracy to overthrow the 2020 presidential election; his team are trying to have the charges thrown out on broad claims he is shielded from criminal prosecution for official presidential conduct.

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