Special prosecutor Jack Smith’s office has requested a federal judge to postpone the handling of the Trump January 6th Capitol case, allowing the prosecution more time to clarify how the case will proceed following the Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity.
In a joint status report submitted to the US District Court for the District of Columbia, Smith’s office asked the court to extend the deadline for submitting the next status report to August 30th. They also requested to postpone the scheduled status hearing on August 16th to a later date after August 30th.
The prosecutor wrote, “The government continues to evaluate new precedents set by the Supreme Court last month in the case of Trump v. United States, including through negotiations with other units of the Department of Justice.”
The prosecutor stated, “Although these negotiations are progressing smoothly, the government has not yet determined the most appropriate timetable for notifying all parties and deciding on related issues.”
The defense did not oppose this request.
On July 1st, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Trump, while serving as president, is immune from criminal prosecution for official acts. This decision is expected to delay Trump’s trial in the Washington federal election case.
District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan in Washington D.C. had previously rejected the notion of presidential immunity from criminal prosecution. Subsequently, Trump appealed this decision, putting the case on hold for about seven months.
Last month, the Supreme Court officially remanded the case back to Chutkan, instructing the government and defense lawyers to collaborate and offer suggestions for the next steps in the case.
Chutkan rejected the defense’s request to dismiss the case on grounds of selective prosecution by Smith. She also summoned both parties to attend a court hearing in Washington on August 16th.
The court will now decide which of Trump’s actions after the 2020 election are not immune from prosecution and which ones are.
The Supreme Court believes that “under our constitutional structure of separation of powers, the nature of presidential authority grants former presidents absolute immunity, shielding their actions within the decisive and exclusive constitutional power from criminal prosecution. He is presumed to have immunity at least for all official acts. Non-official acts are not immune.”
Currently, Trump faces civil and criminal charges in four separate cases. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
A civil case in New York resulted in Trump being convicted, while a federal judge last month dismissed his criminal case involving confidential documents in Florida.
A election case in Fulton County, Georgia is currently on hold as Trump and several co-defendants seek the removal of prosecutor Fani Willis, citing her romantic relationship with a former special prosecutor.
These legal developments indicate the ongoing legal battles and complexities surrounding the legal proceedings involving former President Trump.