In the dramatic twist to the Washington, D.C. election-subversion case against former President Donald Trump, prosecutors from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s office vehemently urged a “no-pause” to the proceedings while Trump appealed seeking to escape charges on “immunity” grounds.
Prosecutors and “no-pause”
The latest court filing, submitted on Sunday, asserts that pausing the trial could pose risks and that the scheduled March 4 trial date should be maintained.
Special counsel attorney Molly Gaston emphasized the potential emergence of unrelated matters during the appeal process, urging the court not to hinder its ability to address them.
Gaston further pledged the government’s commitment to meeting pretrial deadlines to ensure a prompt trial.
The filing also argued that U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan was justified in continuing the pre-trial process on issues beyond Trump’s motion to dismiss.
“While the appeal is pending, the Court can make headway on the motions already before it,” Gaston stated.
Trump’s appeal revolves around Chutkan’s December 1 order denying his motion to dismiss charges based on claims of immunity for actions taken within the “outer perimeter” of his presidential duties.
Chutkan’s order contended that constitutional principles did not support such immunity.
The claim of double jeopardy?
Chutkan’s denial also addressed Trump’s claim of double jeopardy, asserting that former presidents have no special conditions exempting them from federal criminal liability.
Trump’s legal team responded by filing an appeal and a motion to pause proceedings until the appeal is resolved.
With the ball now in Trump’s court, his legal team is expected to respond by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, after which Judge Chutkan will make a crucial decision on whether to halt the case.
The timing of the trial is of paramount importance for Trump as he navigates the road to the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nomination amid looming primary elections.
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