Donald Trump is reportedly planning to abstain from attending the Supreme Court on Thursday as it deliberates his ballot eligibility. The court will hear arguments in Trump's appeal of a Colorado Supreme Court decision that prevents him from appearing on the state's ballot due to the 14th Amendment's prohibition on insurrectionists holding public office. It appears that Trump's legal team is taking a cautious approach, likely due to the possibility of the court addressing a potentially more perilous legal matter: whether Trump is immune from criminal prosecution for his actions following the 2020 election.
Trump's absence from the Supreme Court on Thursday signifies a notable departure from his previous courtroom appearances, where he often used them as campaign events to raise allegations of election interference and political persecution. This change in strategy suggests a more careful consideration by Trump and his legal team as they present their arguments before the highest court in the country, a court in which Trump has appointed one-third of the sitting justices.
According to sources, Trump is fully aware of the high stakes involved in these proceedings and understands that there is no inherent advantage for him to attend the arguments. Insider information indicates that some within Trump's inner circle believed his courtroom theatrics, such as storming out and muttering, did not help his cases in the past, including the defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll and the civil fraud case in New York.
While Trump's advisers assert that his absence is due to logistical reasons, it is worth noting that the Nevada caucuses are taking place on Thursday night. Trump is expected to visit a caucus site and deliver a victory speech, given that he is anticipated to secure a win in the state. Logistically, Nevada operates on Pacific Standard Time, three hours behind the Supreme Court arguments scheduled in the morning. With access to a private plane, it is not entirely implausible for Trump to potentially attend both engagements.
As the Supreme Court holds these pivotal sessions, all eyes are on the outcome and the ensuing implications for Trump's ballot eligibility and potential criminal immunity. With the absence of Trump, it remains to be seen how his legal team will present their case and navigate through the complexities of these legal matters before the nation's highest court.
