Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Trump's Immunity Defense Case Immediately The Supreme Court has declined to immediately rule on whether former President Donald J. Trump is immune from prosecution for charges related to the 2020 election. The case will first be heard by a federal appeals court on a fast track, with arguments scheduled for Jan. 9. This decision is seen as a practical victory for Trump, potentially delaying the trial, which is set to begin on March 4. The case will likely return to the Supreme Court in the future. The appeals court panel consists of judges appointed by Presidents George H.W. Bush and Biden. The trial judge had rejected Trump's claim of immunity, and the special counsel prosecuting Trump urged the Supreme Court to expedite the review due to the case's public importance and the imminent trial date. Trump's lawyers, on the other hand, argued for the usual procedure of letting the appeals court consider the matter first. The case involves unprecedented criminal charges against a former president for actions taken while in office. The Supreme Court is also expected to address a separate question related to the aftermath of the 2020 election.