grant a stay

Speaking in a folksy, conversational tone, Johnston gave a lengthy preamble, explaining his role in the process and how he was able to grant a stay so quickly.

Trump’s lawyers can also ask the appeals court to grant a stay without obtaining a bond or with a bond for a lower amount.

Now the former president is expected to appeal once more, and last week he asked the Supreme Court to grant a stay—keeping Smith’s case on pause—while he prepares to appeal.

“Important to note that the liberal Justices are not pushing back on this argument about the federal interest here. Suggests the cake is already baked. Perhaps they've also been discussing the immunity case and whether to let that go to trial and not grant a stay next week,” he tweeted, predicting that it “would not be surprising to see a quick 9-0 or 8-1 ruling” reversing the Colorado decision with liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor the only “question mark.”

Five of the nine justices must agree to grant a stay in order to prevent the case from resuming in the trial court.