U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan has sided with Special Counsel Jack Smith in a battle over scheduling pre-trial hearings and deadlines in former President Donald Trump’s federal election subversion case.
Trump’s legal team requested earlier this month that Chutkan push back any further hearings and deadlines until next year, while arguing that the case should be dismissed entirely due to the Supreme Court’s recent decision granting sitting presidents immunity from prosecution of crimes committed while conducting certain “official” acts.
On Thursday, Chutkan denied Trump’s request and established a timeline for proceedings that largely follows a timeline proposed by Smith. Smith was ordered to hand over evidence to Trump’s team by September 10, the same day that the former president is scheduled to meet Vice President Kamala Harris in a presidential debate.
Smith was given until September 26 to submit an “opening brief” explaining the government’s argument for Trump not being immune from prosecution. Additional deadlines, including for materials on Trump’s request to dismiss the case based on claims of Smith being illegally appointed, were scheduled through October 31, less than one week before the election.
Spencer Platt
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
