Lawyers for Trump and Special Counsel to Clash over Immunity

Hearing to Determine Former Presidents' Immunity Status

By Sam Cabral, BBC News Washington DC

Lawyers representing former President Donald Trump and Special Counsel Jack Smith are set to face off in a hearing to determine whether former presidents have immunity from prosecution.

The hearing stems from new charges brought against Trump by Smith, who is investigating his role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

Smith, a veteran prosecutor appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November 2022, has charged Trump with conspiracy to defraud the US. The charges allege that Trump and his associates sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election by pressuring state officials to change vote counts.

Trump's lawyers have argued that he is immune from prosecution because he was serving as president at the time of the alleged crimes. However, Smith has maintained that no one is above the law, including former presidents.

An independent lawyer has been appointed to oversee the Justice Department's criminal investigations into Trump. This move is intended to ensure impartiality and prevent any political interference in the investigations.

The hearing is expected to be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the future of presidential accountability. If the court rules that former presidents do not have immunity, it could open the door to further charges against Trump and potentially other former presidents.