The case against former President Donald Trump over his alleged involvement in overturning the 2020 election is hitting the brakes, thanks to a recent move in the legal chess game.
On December 13, the judge in charge of the case acknowledged a jurisdictional hiccup while the matter sits before the Supreme Court. The result? A temporary pause in the proceedings against Trump until the Supreme Court decides its role in the drama.
Special Counsel Jack Smith wants the Supreme Court to weigh in on whether Trump can be prosecuted for charges linked to his 2020 election interference. Despite a green light from a federal judge to proceed with the case, Trump is gearing up to challenge the decision in the federal appeals court in Washington.
Smith, however, is taking an unconventional path, skipping the appeals court and pushing for the Supreme Court to dive straight into the matter. The Supreme Court has given Trump’s legal team until December 20 to respond to Smith’s move.
In response to this legal tug-of-war, Trump’s lawyers urged Judge Tanya Chutkan to hit the pause button on the Jan. 6 case until the appeal outcome is clear. Chutkan, in agreement with both sides, declared a timeout on all trial-related proceedings, emphasizing that Trump’s appeal automatically puts a hold on things.
Chutkan clarified, “The court hereby stays the deadlines and proceedings scheduled by its Pretrial Order, as amended.” She added that if Trump asks the court to temporarily take control over enforcing measures during his immunity appeal, and the court agrees, her court would have to follow suit.
Originally set to kick off on March 4, the trial’s start date is now up in the air. Chutkan hinted at a possible delay, waiting to see how the appeal process pans out.
It’s worth noting that Trump pleaded not guilty in August to federal charges tied to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into the 2020 election and the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. These charges are at the core of the legal showdown against the former president.
As the case heads to the Supreme Court, the trial’s future remains uncertain. Stay tuned for updates as Trump’s legal team makes its move in response to the ongoing appeal process.
