In a significant development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding former President Donald Trump, Special Counsel Jack Smith has requested the Supreme Court to quickly determine whether Trump is absolutely immune from federal prosecution for alleged crimes committed while in office. Smith's request, which was filed on Monday in an 81-page document, urges the justices to make a ruling before a federal appeals court can weigh in on the matter.

The request comes after U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled earlier this month that Trump cannot be shielded from criminal prosecution for actions that allegedly took place while he was in the White House. Trump has expressed his intention to appeal Chutkan's ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. However, Smith argues in his filing that the Supreme Court should settle the issue definitively.

Smith emphasizes the urgency of the matter, stating that it is "of imperative public importance" for the court to resolve Trump's claims of immunity, allowing the trial to proceed promptly if his claim is rejected. Smith firmly asserts that Trump's claims are deeply flawed, a view that was upheld by the district court. Smith highlights the significance of holding a former president accountable for criminal conduct that undermined the peaceful transfer of power.

Trump's trial, currently scheduled to begin on March 4, may be put on hold while he pursues his appeal. The former president is facing four counts related to his alleged efforts to prevent the transfer of presidential power after the 2020 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Smith's request to the Supreme Court comes as a critical juncture, as the justices have no closed-door conference meetings scheduled before the end of the year to discuss which cases to take up. Their next conference is set for January 5.

Melissa Quinn, a politics reporter for CBSNews.com, provides additional context to the developments. She notes that the Special Counsel's request seeks expedited treatment of the case, even before a lower appeals court has ruled on the matter. Quinn also mentions that legal experts have suggested that Trump's attorneys could use the immunity appeals to delay the trial, potentially allowing him to campaign against President Joe Biden as he continues to be the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

The request for Supreme Court review of Trump's immunity claim marks a critical moment in the legal battle surrounding the former president. The outcome of the court's decision will have far-reaching implications for the accountability of former presidents and the democratic principles of the United States.