On Feb. 6, a federal appeals court ruled that former President Donald Trump does not have presidential immunity from prosecution of criminal charges, related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. This is a blow to Trump’s defense as they argued that the actions Special Counsel Jack Smith was charging him over were part of his duties as president and shield him from criminal liability.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled unanimously. 

“Former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant,” the judges wrote for the purpose of the criminal case. 

Trump is expected to appeal the ruling, postponing the case. Trump has until Feb. 12 to ask the Supreme Court to get involved. 

This decision comes at a crucial time, as Trump is the current front runner for the Republican nomination and denies the results of the 2020 presidential election.