The trial of Donald Trump on charges he attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election is now temporarily on hold as an appellate court reviews the ex-president’s claim he cannot be prosecuted for actions he took while he was President. The case is scheduled to go to trial on March 4, 2024.
“Judge Tanya Chutkan has granted Donald Trump’s request for a stay of all proceedings in his DC criminal case, writing that Trump’s appeal on presidential immunity grounds has forced her hand. All pending deadlines and court dates in that case will be stayed,” reports MSNBC’s Ali Velshi.
National security attorney Bradley Moss says Judge Chutkan issuing the stay was expected. “However, she warns the parties she is not vacating any deadlines. If the case gets sent back to her she will decide at that time how to manage the trial calendar for remaining issues.”
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“Judge Chutkan agrees that she no longer has jurisdiction over Trump case while his immunity appeal is pending,” notes Politico’s Kyle Cheney. “Chutkan adds, however, that the stay does not prevent her from enforcing his conditions of release, protective orders and gag order.”
MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin, on-air, noted the D.C. Court off Appeals generally does not move quickly, but she added the U.S. Supreme Court, which is also reviewing Trump’s immunity claim, is now more likely to move faster.
Trump had asked the D.C. appellate court to review his immunity claim. Special Counsel Jack Smith in a surprise move on Tuesday, which the ex-president opposes, then asked the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on Trump’s immunity claim.
Trump is facing 91 felony charges in total, including four in this case. One of the charges includes conspiracy to defraud the United States.