(UnitedVoice.com) – Former President Donald Trump is currently fighting a four-charge indictment in DC federal court. Prosecutor Jack Smith accused him of trying to obstruct the certification of the 2020 election. The judge in the case recently called for a pause as a higher court resolves an appeal.
On December 13, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the election case, issued an order pausing all of the proceedings. The decision came amid an appeal by Trump, who is arguing that he is immune from prosecution in the case for actions that he took while he was fulfilling his duties as POTUS. Prosecutors are arguing that his efforts to keep President Joe Biden from taking office were not part of his official duties.
A three-judge panel with the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has laid out an aggressive schedule for Trump’s appeal. After Chutkan’s decision to pause proceedings, the appeals court granted Smith’s team’s request to expedite the case. All of the filings are now required to be submitted by January 2.
While the appeal is playing out, Smith filed a motion with the Supreme Court and asked the justices to decide once and for all whether Trump is immune from prosecution. Smith told the high court that he understands that it “is an extraordinary request,” but he said, “This is an extraordinary case.”
If the Supreme Court grants Smith’s request, it will be the first time in history that they will determine whether a former president is immune from prosecution for crimes allegedly committed while in office.
The appeals mean the case, which was supposed to go to trial in March, could be significantly delayed. Having the case drag out for as long as possible would be good for the former president. It could potentially be delayed even longer or thrown out if he wins the race for the White House.
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