The judge overseeing former President Donald Trump’s federal election interference case in Washington, D.C., has stayed proceedings in the case while the appeals process plays out.
Trump’s lawyers had requested the proceedings be stayed but special counsel Jack Smith’s team opposed an all-out stay, saying they felt certain filings could still move forward to keep the case on track for the March 4 trial date.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said the delay does not prevent her from enforcing the protective orders in the case, Trump’s conditions of release, or the limited gag order that prohibits Trump from making statements about potential witnesses or attacking the special counsel Jack Smith and his staff, as well as Chutkan’s staff and the staff of other D.C. district court personnel.
What does this actually mean for the case? Trump seems awfully happy about it.
It’s frozen in place while scrotus takes its sweet time.
Remember, Trumps defense is predicated on winning the election in November, and simply ignoring any criminal charges/pardoning himself.
The Government is seeking for an answer to the question of, “Does Trump have immunity for the actions taken on January 6th?” The Supreme Court has indicated that they’ll take up the question.
The answer to that question is pretty pivotal to the Jan. 6th case for the Government. Trump’s lawyers indicated that a full stop on the Jan. 6th case is needed until the Supreme Court answers. The Government indicated that only a partial stop is needed. The Court sided with Trump’s lawyers and put a full stop in place until SCOTUS answers back. Potentially putting the conclusion of the case after the 2024 election.
The notion is that if Trump wins the presidency, he’ll be able to order the Government to stop the court case or he’ll just pardon himself, allowing him to side step any ramifications for his attempt to overthrow the US Government.
The case isn’t over, it’s just put on hold until SCOTUS answers the indenting question. But the delay may give Trump should he win the election, a way to avoid any jail time or disqualification from running for president.