Trump's Case on Election 2020
Washington — The federal judge overseeing former President Donald Trump's case involving the 2020 election has agreed to temporarily pause proceedings while Trump appeals a decision over whether he is entitled to broad immunity from criminal prosecution.
In a brief order Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan largely granted Trump's request to halt the proceedings while he pursues his appeal. Chutkan said Trump's appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit means she must automatically stay further proceedings that would move the case toward trial.
Chutkan wrote that Trump's move gives the higher court jurisdiction over the case. She noted that if the case is returned to her, she will consider "whether to retain or continue the dates of any still-future deadlines and proceedings, including the trial scheduled for March 4."
Trump was charged with four counts in August, including conspiracy to defraud the United States. Prosecutors alleged he orchestrated a scheme to resist the peaceful transfer of power after the 2020 presidential election. He pleaded not guilty to those charges and has denied wrongdoing.
Last month, Trump asked Chutkan to dismiss the charges
Trump argued that he was shielded from federal prosecution because the alleged conduct occurred while he was president and involved acts within the "outer perimeter" of his official duties. However, the judge denied the argument of presidential immunity.
Instead of waiting for the D.C. Circuit to review Chutkan's decision, special counsel Jack Smith made a request to the Supreme Court to take up the case. This move would bypass the appeals court. The high court has agreed to fast-track its consideration of whether to hear the dispute and has given Trump until Dec. 20 to file papers responding to Smith's request.
