A U.S. District Judge, Tanya Chutkan, has decided to temporarily pause the federal case that accuses Donald Trump of trying to unlawfully overturn the 2020 election results. This comes as the former president appeals against the rejection of his bid to dismiss the case, asserting immunity from charges related to actions taken during his presidency. The ongoing appeal has halted all proceedings moving the case towards a trial, initially scheduled for March 2024.
Judge Chutkan's recent ruling allows Trump to maintain his legal battle, and his spokesperson, Steven Cheung, hailed it as a significant victory for both the former president and the rule of law. The decision is perceived as a setback for Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is accused of having a "rush to judgment strategy" to interfere in the 2024 presidential election.
While Trump and Smith acknowledge that the former president can't face trial during the appeal, Smith aimed to keep certain aspects of the case active. The judge, however, ruled that past decisions, including a gag order limiting Trump's statements about prosecutors and witnesses, would be enforced during the pause. Chutkan mentioned the possibility of revisiting the trial date once the appeal concludes.
Facing four felony counts, Trump is accused of attempting to defraud the United States and obstruct Congress in schemes to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden. His appeal is considered a strategic move to delay the trial until after the 2024 election, where he is a frontrunner. Trump's legal team accuses Smith of hastening the case to harm the former president's campaign. In response, Smith has sought direct intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court to swiftly rule on the immunity claim, aiming to counter Trump's attempts to prolong the legal proceedings.
