Attorneys representing Donald Trump submitted a request on Thursday to a judge, urging the dismissal of the federal election interference case in Washington against him. They claim that the former president is protected from legal action due to duties performed in his presidential capacity.

This move is the latest and most direct challenge by Trump’s defense against the federal allegations accusing him of attempting to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe Biden.

The defense emphasizes that the activities leading to these charges, such as prompting the Justice Department to probe voter fraud allegations and influencing state election officials, are integral to Trump’s presidential duties.

The defense stated, “For the first time in 234 years, the current government has indicted President Trump for actions that are central to his presidential tasks. The prosecutors haven’t demonstrated that Trump’s endeavors to uphold election transparency were beyond his official responsibilities.”

The strategy to leverage presidential immunity had been hinted at by the defense for some time as one of several approaches to contest the charges. This is just one of the four legal battles Trump is currently involved in.

Jack Smith, the Special Counsel, seemed to have foreseen this defense tactic, noting in the charges that while political contenders can dispute their electoral defeats, Trump’s behaviors exceeded legal boundaries.

It is anticipated that the prosecutors will oppose the dismissal request.