U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Friday approved special counsel Jack Smith’s request to stay future proceedings in the government’s election interference lawsuit against former President Donald Trump.
Smith noted that discussions were ongoing between the government and Trump’s representatives on how to consider the Supreme Court’s immunity decision, which came after Chutkan asked the two sides to prepare a joint status report that was originally scheduled for Friday.
“While discussions are progressing well, the government has not determined a final position regarding the optimal schedule for the parties to present briefs on issues relevant to sentencing,” the special counsel’s office said. “Accordingly, the government respectfully requests additional time to submit to the court an informed proposal for a schedule for future pretrial proceedings. The defense is not opposed to the government’s request for an extension.”
With the judge’s approval, the report is now due to be submitted in three weeks, on August 30. A status conference scheduled for August 16 in court has also been postponed until September 5.
The filing said Trump’s team did not oppose Smith’s request for an extension.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in early July granted Trump “presumed immunity” for pressuring then-Vice President Pence to certify a “fake electoral vote” on January 6, thereby changing the election results in his favor.
It has yet to be determined whether Trump’s actions merit protection and whether his actions can be considered part of his primary duties. The case has been sent back to Chutkan’s court for a decision.
Last week, Judge Chutkan denied a motion by Trump’s lawyers to dismiss the charges, instead deciding to allow the case to move forward after an eight-month hiatus.
Once the joint status report is released, the public will have their first insight into how Smith will handle the case going forward.
