This will aid Mr Trump’s efforts to delay his trial, as the case must now work through appeals.
The US Supreme Court has declined, for now, to decide whether former president Donald Trump has immunity from prosecution for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 election.
Mr Trump’s efforts to delay the case appears successful, as it must now work through the appeals process.
Special counsel Jack Smith had asked the court to take up the case in an expedited manner.
Mr Trump was indicted on election subversion charges earlier this year.
The court did not explain its decision, instead issuing an unsigned order saying: “The petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment is denied.”
The ruling is a setback for Mr Smith, who had asked the Supreme Court to intervene early for fear that the appeals process could delay the start of Mr Trump’s trial, which was scheduled to begin 4 March in Washington, DC.
Mr Smith is investigating Mr Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the election leading up to the 6 January Capitol riots.
District Judge Tanya Chutkan has paused the case while Mr Trump appeals. He is claiming he is immune from prosecution because he was acting in his official capacity as president before and during the riots.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.