To the editor: Breaking news: The United States Supreme Court has just confirmed that it is on the side of the former president, who is accused in multiple criminal and civil cases. It is doubtful that voters will have the opportunity to know whether a jury of Donald Trump's peers will convict or exonerate him before the November election. (“Without even ruling on Trump’s immunity claim, the Supreme Court handed him a major victory,” Opinion, February 28)
Did the justices have to accept the immunity case that was decided unanimously by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals? No.
Did you have to wait that long to announce that decision? No.
Having decided to take the case, did they have to schedule hearings until the week of April 22? No.
The court has treated such an important case with incredible disregard for voters. There is only one conclusion: the Supreme Court is putting its finger on the scale in favor of Trump.
James Zimring, Tarzana
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To the editor: The Supreme Court, with its reputation already in tatters, has just lost all credibility.
There is nothing the justices can write that would expand or improve on the DC Circuit Court's compelling and comprehensive decision last month. However, the Supreme Court not only agreed to hear the case, but also took its time in making its decision.
Now the entire case remains on hold for at least two more months and probably longer.
You have to ask: Is the Supreme Court's conservative supermajority doing everything it can to help Trump and move our country toward the possibility of a theocratic autocracy?
Marcia Goodman, Long Beach
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To the editor: Anyone who thinks conservatives on the Supreme Court will side with Trump's claim of immunity from prosecution for acts committed while he was president should think twice.
It's true that the court's right-wing supermajority may be inclined to favor conservative litigants in key rulings. But as much as they prefer the election of a Republican president, they don't need to do Trump any favors, not when they have a life term in office.
Therefore, with polls showing that among viable Republican candidates, Trump is the most likely to lose to President Biden, the high court's right-wing majority can be expected to rule against the former president.
This contentious case will give high court conservatives a rare win-win opportunity: They can deny Trump's appeal, thus fostering the illusion that they govern free of partisanship, and still boost the GOP's chances of retaking the presidency.
Betty Turner, Sherman Oaks
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To the editor: Harvard Law Professor Jack Goldsmith tells us that Trump should not be tried before the election, because a court finding his guilt for trying to overturn an election would be unfair to him as a presidential candidate.
The fact that this Orwellian doublethink is taken seriously says everything we need to know about the American capacity for rational thought.
Brian Masson, port city
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To the editor: I have heard arguments for and against expanding the size of the Supreme Court and instituting term limits for justices.
After this decision by the court to unnecessarily delay the resolution of the question of whether a president of the United States has absolute immunity from criminal prosecution following a voluminous, well-reasoned and crystal clear ruling by the DC Circuit, I am no longer undecided. : We must reform the Supreme Court.
Rita Zwern, Burbank
