Judge lays out schedule in Trump's Jan. 6 case as election nears
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Former President Trump on Aug. 29 in Potterville, Michigan. Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
The judge overseeing former President Trump's 2020 election subversion case laid out a schedule for the high-stakes case on Thursday.
The big picture: The proceeding is the first since the Supreme Court ruled in July that presidents have immunity for "official acts," leaving it to Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine whether the acts Trump is accused of are "official" or not.
- It's also the first since special counsel Jack Smith filed a slimmed-down indictment in response to the immunity ruling.
- Trump waived his right earlier this week to appear at his arraignment.
What they're saying: Chutkan made clear to Trump's lawyers that the looming 2024 presidential election was not a factor in her considerations in the case, per multiple reports.
- "The electoral process, timing of the election and what needs to happen before shouldn't happen for election, is not relevant here," she reportedly said.
Zoom in: Prosecutors' opening brief to present their arguments is due Sept. 26, per the court order.
- They said in court Thursday that the filing would contain new information not included in the indictment, per CBS News. The timing allows for the information to become public before the November election.
- Trump's team must respond by Oct. 17 and can submit a request to dismiss the indictment based on the immunity argument.
- Prosecutors will then have until Oct. 29 to respond.
Context: Trump, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, was indicted in August 2023 over his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
- He was charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S., conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights.
- The Supreme Court later ruled that presidents have immunity for "official acts," but punted to the trial court the question of whether Trump's alleged conduct in his Jan. 6 case was protected.
- The trial had originally been scheduled to take place earlier this year but was postponed.
Go deeper: Trump to skip arraignment in federal election interference case
