A federal judge in Washington has formally postponed the trial of Donald Trump, accused of plotting to overturn the 2020 election, as a key legal appeal by the former president continues to make its way through the courts.
District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Friday vacated the March 4 date for the lawsuit filed by Justice Department special prosecutor Jack Smith, but did not immediately set a new date. The decision paves the way for another case in New York, in which Mr. Trump is accused of paying bribes to a pornographic actress.
The delay comes as a federal appeals court has yet to rule on Mr. Trump’s pending appeal, which argues that he is immune from prosecution for his actions. to the White House. It is not yet clear when the three-judge panel will rule, but a ruling in favor of prosecutors allowing the case to move forward is expected to be appealed by the court. Trump team, which will likely lead to further delays.
PHOTO JACQUELYN MARTIN, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Special Prosecutor Jack Smith
For both parties, time is of the essence. The former president, who faces four indictments and 91 counts, seeks to delay his criminal cases while enjoying front-runner status in the race for the Republican presidential nomination of 2024. Mr. Smith’s team, for its part, hopes to be able to pursue Mr. Trump this year, before the November election.
The Washington case was supposed to be handled first, but it was postponed for security reasons.