(TheRedAlertNews.com) – Donald Trump has scored a big victory in his fight against Democrat-led judicial prosecutions. The judge in his 2020 election subversion trial, an Obama appointee, has decided to pause the proceedings while the former president appeals her earlier rejection of a motion to toss the case.
DC-based US Judge Tanya Chutkan has temporarily halted Trump’s 2020 election trial schedule for former President Donald Trump while the court awaits the outcome of Trump’s appeal regarding his claim of presidential immunity.
In early December, Judge Chutkan ruled against Trump’s motion to dismiss the case on the grounds of presidential immunity, leading to Trump’s subsequent appeal to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
On Wednesday, Chutkan concurred with halting pre-trial deadlines and further proceedings until the appeals court delivers its decision.
This delay poses a potential threat to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s intended March 4 trial date, raising the possibility that the trial might not occur until after the November 2024 presidential election, The Daily Caller points out in a report.
“[T]he court agrees with both parties that Defendant’s appeal automatically stays any further proceedings that would move this case towards trial or impose additional burdens of litigation on Defendant,” Chutkan wrote in her Wednesday’s decision.
In addition, Smith requested the Supreme Court to review the presidential immunity issue before a decision by the D.C. Circuit.
The Supreme Court responded by accelerating its review process, setting a December 20 deadline for Trump’s legal team to provide input.
Judge Chutkan indicated her willingness to reevaluate the March 4 trial date after the appeal’s resolution, emphasizing that the current pause does not affect her authority to enforce existing measures to preserve the integrity of the proceedings, including the gag order on Trump.
“If jurisdiction is returned to this court, it will—consistent with its duty to ensure both a speedy trial and fairness for all parties—consider at that time whether to retain or continue the dates of any still-future deadlines and proceedings, including the trial scheduled for March 4, 2024,” she stated.
Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, labeled Chutkan’s decision to stay the proceedings as a significant victory.
“This is a big win for President Trump and our rule of law, as it derails Deranged Jack Smith’s rush to judgment strategy of interfering in the 2024 Presidential Election in support of Joe Biden’s campaign,” Cheung commented.
“They waited almost three years to bring this hoax’ case’ and are now desperately trying, and failing, to rush it because they know President Trump is dominating the election,” the campaign official added.
In a post on X, law professor Jonathan Turley stressed the potential ramifications of Chutkan’s 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,” Turley wrote.
