Is the tide finally turning in these politically-motivated legal prosecutions against the 45th President?
According to a recent court order, Judge Tanya Chutkan has issued a temporary pause in President Trump’s ongoing January 6th federal prosecution case.
The pause will be in effect pending a motion to dismiss the case on grounds of Presidential immunity, a hotly contested topic, by the defense team.
Experts are saying that this could complicate things for hopeful prosecutors who wanted to time the trials to conclude at a strategic time directly ahead of elections.
Here’s to hoping this throws a wrench in the establishment’s plans! Reporter Simon Ateba provided more details:
“The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case, Judge Tanya Chutkan, just announced that she has temporarily halted procedural deadlines due to ongoing appeals regarding a crucial issue.
She said this could potentially delay Trump’s trial scheduled for March 4, 2024.
Judge Chutkan also clarified that she lacks jurisdiction over certain aspects of the case while the DC Circuit Court of Appeals determines whether Trump is immune from prosecution.
Recall that Special counsel Jack Smith has sought Supreme Court intervention to expedite this appeals process. He went directly to the Apex Court, skipping the Appeals Court.
The judge, however, said that while the trial date may be affected, she retains the authority to enforce previously imposed measures to preserve the integrity of the proceedings, such as a limited gag order and release conditions for Trump.”
BREAKING: The federal judge overseeing Donald Trump's 2020 election interference case, Judge Tanya Chutkan, just announced that she has temporarily halted procedural deadlines due to ongoing appeals regarding a crucial issue.
She said this could potentially delay Trump's trial… pic.twitter.com/M4ezM2NTOL
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) December 13, 2023
Lawyer and writer Leslie McAdoo Gordon provided the corresponding legal documents ordering a pause of the January 6th case pending a motion to dismiss.
She, IMO correctly, notes that she still has jurisdiction over some administrative things like the gag order & conditions of release, etc.
But all else – discovery, motions, trial – is stated until the appellate courts speak.
/2
— Leslie McAdoo Gordon 🇺🇸 (@McAdooGordon) December 13, 2023
CBS News provided more information on the ruling:
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.”
The case would return to her if Trump’s immunity claim is ultimately rejected, allowing the prosecution to move forward.
Constitutional attorney Jonathan Turley explained the implications of this decision: “Judge Chutkan just put a hold on further proceedings in the federal case against Trump. Smith has worked doggedly to keep the trial scheduled for just before Super Tuesday. This could endanger that date and make it more difficult to try Trump before the election.”
Judge Chutkan just put a hold on further proceedings in the federal case against Trump. Smith has worked doggedly to keep the trial scheduled for just before Super Tuesday. This could endanger that date and make it more difficult to try Trump before the election…
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) December 13, 2023
According to Epoch Times reporter Sam Dorman: “Special Counsel Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court to resolve the presidential immunity question before the appellate court issued an order. SCOTUS has asked Trump to submit a response to Smith’s request by Dec. 20.”
Judge Chutkan stays proceedings in Trump's D.C. case pending resolution of his motion to dismiss based on presidential immunity. Trump had asked the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to review Chutkan's denial of his motion.
Special Counsel Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court to… pic.twitter.com/esVi4vh2gC
— Sam Dorman (@EpochofDorman) December 13, 2023
The Hill noted:
The matter could mean significant delays in a case where the government has fought any effort to bump back deadlines.
Though the election is nearly a year away, it’s unclear how long the appeals process could take, and Chutkan noted that while her deadlines are “held in abeyance,” she may need to ultimately delay the trial.
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!