Former President Donald Trump’s legal team in his federal election interference case has proposed a court schedule that would delay any decisions on immunity until after the election and push the start of a potential trial well beyond the next inauguration. Special counsel Jack Smith has argued for the court to immediately consider whether Trump’s actions are covered by presidential immunity, revealing new evidence in the process. Trump’s lawyers want to address other points before the immunity question, potentially allowing for no new substantive arguments until after the election.
Trump is accused of trying to defraud the American public and disenfranchise voters by falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen, leading to the Capitol attack on Jan. 6. He has pleaded not guilty and continued to insist the election was stolen. If Trump wins the election, the case could end before a trial is held under his appointees. The defense team may challenge the legality of Smith’s appointment and argue that certain actions described in the indictment should be shielded from prosecution.
The proposed trial schedule would begin hearings after the next president is sworn in, potentially delaying any resolution until 2025. The Supreme Court’s immunity decision weakened the special counsel’s case, prompting a new indictment that does not include previous allegations regarding Trump’s attempts to weaponize the Justice Department. Trump’s team has attempted to justify his election conspiracy theories in court, but Smith’s team believes Trump did not actually believe the lies he spread.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com