Trump and Jack Smith Clash Over Timeline in Jan 6 Case

So, it looks like President Trump and special counsel Jack Smith are playing a game of legal tug-of-war.

They’re fighting over the timeline of the Jan. 6 case.

In their latest filing, Smith decided to keep his cards close to his chest, refusing to suggest a timeline.

Meanwhile, Trump’s legal team is asking for a pause.

And there should be a delay until after the November election.

Both made their filling on Friday.

One has to wonder how much longer Jack Smith will keep this game up?

Jack Smith asks judge in Jan. 6 case to address immunity as Trump seeks dismissal https://t.co/pcYd9UUvS3

— KMET1490AM (@KMETRadio) August 31, 2024

BREAKING: Jack Smith is urging Judge Chutkan to streamline Trump's efforts to dismiss his D.C. prosecution by linking the immunity fight with his other efforts to scrap the case.

Trump (right) envisions a process that stretches deep into 2025.https://t.co/ajxROvRN5t pic.twitter.com/865N2rhFcq

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) August 31, 2024

ABC News reports:

Lawyers for Donald Trump and special counsel Jack Smith disagree on how to proceed with the former president’s election interference case, both sides said in a joint filing late Friday.

On the heels of this week’s superseding indictment in which Smith adjusted the case’s original charges to respect the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity, Smith, in Friday’s filing, declined to propose a timeline for the case — telling the court that “decisions on how to manage its docket are firmly within its discretion” — while Trump’s lawyers proposed delaying any in-person proceedings until after the November election.

Trump last August pleaded not guilty to federal charges of undertaking a “criminal scheme” to overturn the results of the 2020 election to remain in power. Last month, in a blockbuster decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump is entitled to immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts undertaken while in office.

Smith, in Friday’s joint filing, urged U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to address the Supreme Court’s immunity decision “first and foremost,” while Trump’s lawyers asked the court to immediately consider dismissing the case based on the legality of Smith’s appointment before turning to the immunity issue.

“The parties recognize the types of motions and briefing anticipated in pre-trial proceedings but have differing views on how the Court should schedule these matters and the manner in which they are to be conducted,” the filing said.

Rather than propose in-person evidentiary hearings — which could have resulted in a so-called “mini-trial” ahead of the election — Smith urged the court to accept written briefs about presidential immunity to “distinguish [Trump’s] private electioneering activity from official action.” If Trump’s team filed motions on other issues, Smith asked the court to consider those issues simultaneously as the immunity issue.

Do they think they’re going to win this time?

Does Jack Smith really think he stands a chance?

It’s almost like Disney continually thinking they’re going to turn a profit with each woke movie they release.

Court filing Friday night.

Special Counsel Jack Smith is ready to go:

"The Government is prepared to file its opening immunity brief promptly at any time the Court deems appropriate."https://t.co/1DbtagLWly

— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) August 31, 2024

3/ DOJ's proposed opening brief could showcase other evidence (and not wait until later to address immunity issues):

See reference to "additional unpled categories of evidence that the Government intends to introduce at trial and will proffer in its brief."⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Utsy4jPLgJ

— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) August 31, 2024