Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall spearheaded an 18-state amicus brief filed today in Trump v. United States, a significant case before the U.S. Supreme Court that addresses the issue of whether sitting Presidents can be prosecuted for official actions conducted while in office.
The case, led by Special Counsel Jack Smith, centers around alleged crimes associated with the events of January 6, 2021. However, concerns have been raised regarding the timing and motivations behind the prosecution. Critics argue that the 30-month delay in bringing forth the indictment, coupled with President Biden’s public statements expressing his desire to prevent Trump from returning to office, suggests a potentially political agenda behind the legal proceedings. Furthermore, Smith’s efforts to expedite the trial and limit judicial review have fueled suspicions of partisan motivations.
Attorney General Marshall voiced apprehensions regarding the perceived misuse of the justice system, asserting that if the prosecution aims to silence or incapacitate a political opponent ahead of an election, it constitutes an abuse that warrants serious consideration by the Supreme Court. Marshall highlighted Smith’s failure to provide a non-partisan rationale for expediting Trump’s trial, labeling the actions as “preposterous.”
The amicus brief, joined by attorneys general from 17 other states, challenges the D.C. Circuit’s assessment that the risk of partisan prosecutions is minimal. It points to ongoing investigations and legal actions against Trump in various jurisdictions, such as Fulton County, Georgia, and Manhattan, New York, suggesting a pattern of partisan targeting. The brief contends that such actions underscore the real threat of political abuse within the legal system.
Marshall’s involvement in the case extends beyond the amicus brief. He previously defended the Supreme Court against allegations of political bias and successfully advocated for a normal timeline for case review. Additionally, Marshall led previous multi-state efforts opposing efforts to expedite Trump’s trial.
