Learn the latest developments in the lawsuit against former President Donald Trump regarding the 2020 election. Judge Tanya Chutkan suspends trials amid Trump immunity appeal, raising key questions about presidential powers and accountability legal.
A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a temporary pause in trials related to former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election conspiracy case.
Explore accusations and defense strategies
In August, the former president was indicted on four counts of trying to change the outcome of the 2020 election in his favor. The accusations against Trump include:
- Conspiracy to defraud the United States government.
- Manipulation of witnesses.
- Plot against citizens’ right to vote.
- Obstruction of the investigation.
- An attempt to obstruct an official proceeding.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied any wrongdoing.
In the latest order, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutken, who is overseeing the case, agreed to stay proceedings to rule on the charges against Trump.
The order came after Trump’s legal team appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, arguing that the former president should not be criminally charged in the election subversion case since the alleged conduct took place while he was President of the United States. and the Constitution grants the President immunity from criminal prosecution.
In the 16-page filing, Trump’s lawyer asked the three-judge panel to move slowly in the case and consider the former president’s claim that he is immune from prosecution.
Judge’s ruling on Trump’s immunity appeal
The attorney, D. John Sauer, wrote in the filing: “The manifest public interest lies in the court’s careful and deliberate consideration of these momentous issues with the greatest care and diligence.” »
In October, Trump requested that charges against him be dropped, citing his presidential immunity. However, the judge rejected his request and decided to continue the trials.
Although she ordered a pause in the trials on Wednesday, Chutken said she would take steps to “safeguard the integrity” of the proceedings. As such, she is likely to issue a gag order, prohibiting Trump from making public statements about those involved in the case, or a protective order, protecting “sensitive evidence.”
In a separate move Monday, special counsel Jack Smith, who investigated Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election, filed an appeal with the Supreme Court asking him to rule on the question of Trump’s immunity. Trump in this matter. The Court gave Trump a deadline of December 20, 2023 to respond to Smith’s request. Smith asked the federal judge to hold the trials by Jan. 2, 2024, two weeks before the 2024 presidential primary.
Trump, leading the Republican Party’s nomination as the dominant 2024 presidential candidate, has consistently tried to move the trials forward after the 2024 election for his reasons.
Suppose the former president succeeds in delaying the trials until after the election and wins a second term. In this case, he can use his power to dismiss the charges and pardon himself in his election conspiracy case.
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