Seven key cases involving Trump may reach the Supreme Court as he fights charges, ranging from criminal prosecutions to civil lawsuits. The outcomes could be influenced by the upcoming election.
The United States Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of Donald Trump on three major issues, but the former president may face further legal challenges at the high court.
Currently, seven significant cases involving Trump as a defendant are pending in lower courts:
two federal criminal charges, two state criminal prosecutions, and three civil lawsuits.
While these cases could eventually be appealed to the Supreme Court, it is unlikely that any will be heard during the current nine-month term, which began on Monday.
The results of the upcoming presidential election could affect at least two of the cases against Trump.
If he wins the presidency, he might attempt to pardon himself or direct the new Justice Department leadership to dismiss the federal criminal cases led by Special Counsel Jack Smith.
One case involves Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results against Joe Biden, while the other deals with his retention of top-secret documents after leaving office in 2021.
Smith’s office has petitioned the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate the federal charges regarding the documents after Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case in July.
However, state criminal charges are not subject to presidential pardon.
The two state cases include Trump’s conviction in New York for hush money payments to Stormy Daniels and charges in Georgia related to the 2020 election.
In the New York case, Trump’s sentencing is set for November 26, but legal experts suggest a delay if he wins the election.
Trump may eventually appeal this conviction to the Supreme Court. Similarly, he could seek a Supreme Court review of the Georgia case, arguing for immunity after pleading not guilty alongside 14 co-defendants.
The civil lawsuits against Trump include a judgment in New York for business fraud and two judgments in federal court for cases brought by E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual assault and defamation.
These cases will continue in lower courts and may eventually be appealed to the Supreme Court.
Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied all wrongdoing in each instance.